Officials Summoned Over Supply of Contaminated Water in Shimla

Taking serious note of supply of contaminated water in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh High Court issued notice to the state.

It was reported in the media that Ashwani Khud, which supplies water to one-third of Shimla's population, is highly contaminated. Media reports suggested that sewage mixed with the drinking water was being supplied to the residents, which has created an epidemic-like situation in the town. Taking serious note of supply of contaminated water in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the state.

It directed the chief secretary, the principal secretary (irrigation and public health), the principal secretary (health) and the municipal commissioner to be present in the court on Tuesday, January 5, 2015.

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‘The people of Shimla town do not have access to clean drinking water and are falling prey to many waterborne diseases. Taking note of this epidemic-like situation in the town, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the state officials.’

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, which treated media reports regarding supply of contaminated water as a public interest litigation, passed the order.

During the hearing, it was observed by the court that drinking water is one of the basic necessities for the people.

"Because of the apathy on the part of the authorities concerned, the people of Shimla town do not have access to clean drinking water and are falling prey to many waterborne diseases," observed the court.

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"Unscientific disposal of sewage and solid waste is threatening the pristine environment and water sources of Shimla," said an official.

Quoting last year's observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General that highlights the inadequacies of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, he said, "Just 13% of the sewage generated in Shimla is treated and the rest is left in the open - despite Rs. 74 crore ($12 million) being spent for installing six treatment plants."

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Planned for a maximum population of 16,000, Shimla is home to 170,000 people as per the 2011 census and generates 30.09 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage.

The CAG said, "The utilization of six sewerage treatment plants was only 4.8 MLD (13%) against the installed capacity of 35.63 MLD."

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Worn-out sewers and non-existence of a sewerage network are the main reasons for non-tapping of sewage.

Source-IANS