Published on: 04 July, 2025 22:30 IST
The Delhi High Court came down hard on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Friday for supplying contaminated water to residents in several East Delhi colonies. In a scathing observation, the court asked, “Are you expecting citizens to drink sewage-mixed water?”– highlighting the alarming conditions reported from the area.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Dhruv Gupta, who alleged that households in Yojana Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jagriti Enclave, and nearby areas were receiving severely contaminated water, allegedly mixed with sewage.
The court had earlier, on July 2, directed the DJB to inspect the affected areas. The agency has now submitted a status report admitting that the water supply pipelines in Yojana Vihar are over 35 years old, have exceeded their operational life, and require urgent replacement.
The DJB acknowledged that several house connections, including that of the petitioner, were linked to damaged pipes. It informed the court that a tender for replacing these pipelines would be floated by July 7, with a contract expected to be awarded by July 17. The replacement work is proposed to be completed within 20 days of awarding the contract.
However, the court was not entirely reassured. It directed the DJB to ensure that all pipeline replacement work is completed by August 2025, warning that any delay or failure would be viewed with serious concern.
Addressing another concern, the DJB’s counsel informed the court about ongoing desilting work at a nearby sewage treatment plant, which is expected to be completed by August. The agency also stated that it will prioritize the replacement of the most damaged sections, depending on available funds.
Additionally, the court ordered the DJB to file an affidavit detailing the timeline for the complete overhaul of the water distribution network in the area.
Noting the issue of booster pumps being used during non-supply hours—which can lead to contamination—the court further directed the DJB to crack down on such illegal use and take strict action against any residents found violating this.
The case will now be heard again on August 13. The High Court reiterated its earlier order, stressing that residents must be provided with clean and safe drinking water—a basic necessity and legal right.