The opposition leader in the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating quality of drinking water in parts of the city, fearing a public health crisis if urgent steps are not taken.
Complaints of Dirty and 'Yellow' Water Ignored
Shabista Zaki, the Leader of Opposition in the BMC general council, stated on Friday that the water supplied in her ward, which includes the areas of Shyamala Hills and Banganga, is not fit for consumption. She expressed frustration that despite repeatedly complaining to BMC officials, presenting samples of dirty water, and raising the issue in council meetings, her concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
Zaki highlighted a particularly grim situation in the slum areas within her ward, where 'yellow' water is being supplied. She further explained that this water begins to rot once stored, indicating severe contamination and a complete lack of potability.
Letter to Commissioner After Indore Incident
Alarmed by the recent water-related incident in Indore, Zaki has written a fresh letter to Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain. In her communication, she has drawn attention to the persistent problem and voiced her apprehension that a similar crisis could erupt in several areas of Bhopal, including her own ward, unless immediate corrective measures are implemented.
Municipal Commissioner's Response
When contacted, Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain said she had not yet received Zaki's letter. However, she assured that if there is a genuine problem with water quality, she would personally contact the councillor to address it. Regarding Banganga specifically, Jain claimed, "We had taken two samples of water from there and they were found good in quality."
The contrasting claims set the stage for a potential confrontation, with a public representative alleging a severe lapse in essential services and the administration citing sample reports. The residents of Shyamala Hills, Banganga, and the mentioned slum areas continue to await a permanent solution to this critical issue of clean drinking water.
