Residents of Greater Noida's Sector Delta 1 are grappling with a severe public health scare after contaminated drinking water, mixed with sewage, led to multiple cases of illness, including among children. The incident has exposed critical flaws in the area's aging civic infrastructure and sparked fears of a larger outbreak.
Outbreak and Official Response
The crisis came to light when numerous residents, including children, began reporting symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever. The root cause was traced to a leaking water pipeline that had been contaminated by sewage. On Wednesday, teams from the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) and the local health department sprang into action.
They inspected the affected area, identified the source of the leak, and carried out repairs. The authorities also distributed essential medical supplies, including medicines, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), glucose, and anti-inflammatory antacids to the impacted community. Water samples were collected from the sector for laboratory testing to ascertain the extent of contamination.
Residents' Anguish and Systemic Failures
Despite official assurances, panic and anger run high among the approximately 20,000 residents living across the sector's six blocks. Residents fear a repeat of tragedies like the one in Indore, where contaminated water led to multiple deaths. They point to repeated pipeline leakages and substandard water quality as chronic issues.
Pramod Bhati, President of the Sector Delta 1 Residents' Welfare Association (RWA), stated that about 12 people have fallen ill so far, with some children aged between 12 and 15 years affected. He revealed that this is the third reported water pipeline damage in the sector within a single week, with a similar leakage occurring in Block F just last week.
Residents explained that a blocked sewer line was diverted into a drain, which then allowed sewage to seep into an old, leaking water pipeline running through the same channel. Deepak Kumar Bhati, convenor of the sector's RWA, expressed outrage, questioning how citizens are forced to use water mixed with feces despite paying their utility bills.
One affected resident, Rukmani Singh (42) from Block C, shared her ordeal, stating she felt uneasy and immediately suspected the water before suffering from loose motions and weakness. Four of her neighbours also developed similar symptoms.
Authorities' Stance and Future Measures
Manoj Choudhary, GNIDA Assistant Manager (Water Department), confirmed that a dilapidated section of the water pipeline in Block C was found leaking and was repaired by Wednesday afternoon. Inspections uncovered two additional leaking pipelines in other parts of the sector, which were subsequently replaced. He claimed water quality tested normal after the repairs.
On the medical front, Dr. Narayan Kishore, CMS of CHC Kasna, reported that a medical camp was set up on Wednesday morning after receiving information from the RWA. Around 30 people visited, with five to six given medicines and others advised ORS. The situation is currently under control, with another camp planned if necessary.
Choudhary urged residents to promptly report any water or sewer leakages for priority repairs. He added that proposals for pipeline replacements are being prepared, focusing on older sectors or areas with persistent issues, in a bid to prevent such dangerous incidents in the future.
