Lucknow Residents Protest Foul Water Supply, Fear Health Crisis

Residents across Lucknow are raising alarms about muddy and foul-smelling water flowing from their taps. Many fear the state capital could face a water contamination crisis similar to recent issues in Indore. People in several city areas report receiving water that is not only dirty but also carries a bad odor, sparking widespread concern.

Protests Erupt in Multiple Neighborhoods

On Tuesday, residents of Husainganj in the Mahatma Gandhi Vikramaditya ward took to the streets. They blocked a road by placing buckets on the pavement and shouted slogans against the Lucknow Municipal Corporation and the Jalkal department. This protest followed a similar demonstration on Sunday in Mayawati Colony, located in Indiranagar.

Islam Ali, a resident of the Babu Banarasi Das ward, expressed frustration. "We keep complaining, but no one listens," he said. "Officials only come to collect taxes. When it comes to water, nobody turns up." His words echo the sentiments of many who feel neglected by local authorities.

Health Risks and Daily Struggles

Nearly 300 households in Husainganj have endured contaminated water for several days. This situation has led to illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly. Akhtar Jahan and Ram Kumari shared their daily struggles with the erratic water supply.

"Even when water comes for half an hour, it is muddy and smells bad," Ram Kumari explained. "We cannot use it." Many residents report that the water often mixes with sewage, making it unsafe for drinking or household chores.

Widespread Complaints Across the City

Similar issues are not confined to just a few areas. Complaints have surfaced from multiple neighborhoods, including:

Lalbagh
Indiranagar
Maulviganj
Nai Basti
Beldar Lane
Shankar Nagar Ward II
Adil Nagar

Local corporator Amit Chaudhary acknowledged the problem. He stated that the issue has been raised repeatedly, but no alternative water arrangements have been provided so far.

Blame Falls on Aging Infrastructure

In Shankarnagar and Adilnagar, residents point to old and damaged pipelines as the root cause. Suresh Verma highlighted the dire situation. "Pipelines are broken at several places," he said. "We are arranging tankers at our own cost." This additional expense adds to the burden faced by families already dealing with health risks.

Official Response and Helpline Numbers

Jalkal general manager Kuldeep Singh addressed the concerns. He confirmed that repair work is underway wherever faults are reported. Singh also mentioned plans to replace dilapidated pipelines in the affected areas.

To assist residents, he shared helpline numbers for lodging complaints: