Water Contamination Crisis Hits Kolkata Housing Complex, Over 300 Residents Fall Ill
A severe public health crisis has unfolded at the Shukhobrishti housing complex in New Town, Kolkata, where more than 300 residents from E Block have reportedly been suffering from acute diarrhoea over the past three weeks. The outbreak has led to multiple hospitalizations, with families pointing fingers at the facility management for alleged negligence in maintaining overhead water tanks, which they claim has contaminated the drinking water supply.
Widespread Illness and Hospitalizations
Residents describe a distressing situation where nearly every household in E Block has at least one member afflicted with stomach-related ailments. Symptoms reported include abdominal pain, vomiting, high fever, and persistent diarrhoea, creating a wave of anxiety throughout the 522-tower complex. The matter escalated on Monday morning when agitated residents confronted the facility manager, demanding immediate answers and action.
"Both my daughters are hospitalized, and doctors confirmed contaminated water as the cause," said Sudhir Mondal, a distressed resident. "The water has a foul odor and appears yellowish. We've repeatedly alerted the management, but nothing has been done."
Residents Voice Concerns and Suspicions
Neha Gupta, an E Block resident whose daughter is still undergoing treatment, highlighted the scale of the issue. "Almost every building has someone unwell. All three of us have been ill, and at least 100 families have members with diarrhoea or stomach infections. This cannot be a coincidence; there must be water contamination," she asserted.
Shabana Khatun, Gupta's neighbor, shared a similar ordeal, stating that her daughter has been battling diarrhoea for three weeks, and visiting relatives have shown identical symptoms. The outbreak has left parents worried about their children and elderly residents particularly vulnerable, with hospital visits becoming a routine part of daily life.
Authorities Respond Amid Conflicting Reports
Following a complaint lodged at the Technocity police station, officers visited the complex on Monday, urging the facility management to take swift action. The facility manager assured residents that efforts are underway to address the issue, stating, "We are coordinating with concerned authorities and taking steps to remedy the situation at the earliest."
However, an official from the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) presented a contrasting view, claiming that routine water sample tests conducted until last week showed no contamination. "Reports indicated safe water supply to Shukhobrishti, but due to the complaints, we have collected new samples for testing to check for contamination or internal storage system problems," the official explained.
Historical Context and Ongoing Worries
This incident echoes a similar health scare in 2024 when nearly 50 residents of Shrachi Greenwood Nest in Rajarhat suffered from hepatitis A and typhoid symptoms, later traced to coliform bacteria in the water. At Shukhobrishti, residents remain skeptical, with some suspecting contamination from the nearby Kestopur canal, alleging that canal water might have seeped into underground pipelines.
Doctors treating patients have not ruled out waterborne infections, adding to the urgency of the situation. As of Monday afternoon, only 17 of the 141 overhead tanks had been cleaned, despite promises from authorities to address all of them. "We just want clean, safe water," pleaded another resident, whose two sons are currently under medical treatment.
The crisis underscores broader concerns about water safety and infrastructure maintenance in urban housing complexes, leaving the community in a state of distress as they await definitive solutions and accountability from management and local authorities.
