The Delhi High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for supplying contaminated drinking water to several East Delhi colonies, remarking that citizens cannot be expected to "drink sewage mixed water".
A division bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Dhruv Gupta, highlighting the supply of highly contaminated tap water in Yojana Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jagriti Enclave, and adjoining areas.
“Unless someone knocks on the court’s doors, you won’t act? You are asking citizens of this city to drink sewage mixed water?” the bench remarked, pulling up the DJB for its inaction.
In its status report filed before the Court, the DJB admitted that water pipelines in Yojana Vihar were over 35 years old, had exceeded their operational life, and required urgent replacement.
The Board stated that tenders for the replacement of damaged pipelines would be floated by July 7, with the contract to be awarded by July 17, and the project targeted for completion within 20 days from the award date.
The Court, however, directed that the entire replacement work must be completed by August 2025, warning that non-compliance would be viewed seriously.
Regarding sewage treatment, the DJB informed the Court about ongoing desilting work, expected to be completed by August 2025. The Court also directed DJB to crack down on illegal use of booster pumps during non-supply hours and to take necessary enforcement action.
Further, the Court ordered the DJB to file an affidavit outlining a clear timeline for complete replacement of the water distribution network in the area and emphasized vigilant monitoring of water quality.
The matter is now posted for further hearing on August 13.
Website designed, developed and maintained by webexy