The fundamental duty of any government is to provide its citizens with basic necessities—clean air, safe food, and, most critically, potable drinking water. However, recent events in Madhya Pradesh and emerging reports from the national capital, Delhi, paint a harrowing picture of systemic failure and administrative apathy. Despite the tall claims of "double-engine" growth and rapid development, the reality on the ground is that millions of Indians are literally being poisoned by the water running through their taps.
The Indore Tragedy
Only a few days ago, the nation was shaken by news from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where at least 10 people lost their lives after consuming contaminated water. This was not a natural disaster; it was a man-made catastrophe. In a city often touted for its cleanliness, the failure to ensure the purity of the water supply is a damning indictment of the local and state administration.
The tragedy in Indore serves as a grim warning of what happens when infrastructure is allowed to rot and oversight becomes a secondary concern. When the very source of life “water” becomes a carrier of disease and death, it exposes a deep-seated rot in the governance model that prioritizes optics over the actual well-being of the common man.
Delhi’s Ticking Time Bomb: The DJB Report
While the wounds in Madhya Pradesh are still fresh, a new report from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) reveals that India’s capital is sitting on a similar ticking time bomb. According to the report, nearly 18% of Delhi’s water supply network “amounting to approximately 2,800 kilometers of pipelines” is more than 30 years old and in desperate need of replacement.
These aging pipes are not just inefficient; they are dangerous. As pipes exceed their lifespan, they develop cracks and leaks. These apertures do more than just waste water; they act as entry points for sewage and other contaminants, especially in areas where water lines run parallel to drainage systems.
The Reality of "Unsatisfactory" Water
The statistics provided by the DJB are alarming. Between December 22 and 26, the board collected 7,129 samples of drinking water from across the city. Out of these, samples from 100 different locations were found to be "unsatisfactory". The contamination was detected in diverse localities, including:
- East and North East Delhi: Jagriti Enclave, Shanti Mohalla, Jhilmil Industrial Area, Dilshad Garden, and Gandhi Nagar.
- South and West Delhi: Mansarovar Park, Puran Nagar, Palam, and various sectors in Dwarka.
- Central and North Delhi: Vijay Vihar, Kirari, Burari, and parts of Old Delhi like Chandni Chowk.
Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) have been screaming for help for years. Ashok Bhasin, president of the North Delhi RWA, pointed out that in many areas, the initial 10 to 15 minutes of water supply are frequently smelly and visibly contaminated. This is because during "idle hours"—the time between supply cycles—contaminated groundwater and sewage seep into the broken, unpressurized pipes.
The Massive Loss of "Non-Revenue Water"
Beyond the health risks, the financial and resource mismanagement is staggering. The report notes that at least 50-52% of Delhi’s water is classified as "non-revenue water" (NRW). This means more than half of the water treated at the city's nine plants vanishes before it ever reaches a metered connection. It is lost through massive leakages in old pipes, illegal punctures, and theft.
In a city that constantly struggles with water scarcity, losing 500 million gallons out of a daily production of 1,000 million gallons due to poor infrastructure is nothing short of a governance crime.
The Myth of Accelerated Development
Both Delhi (through various administrative layers) and Madhya Pradesh are battlegrounds where the promise of "double-engine" governance is frequently made. The narrative suggests that having the same party at the center and state level accelerates development. However, if the "accelerated development" cannot fix a leaking pipe or prevent 10 people from dying of water-borne diseases in a major city, then the slogan rings hollow.
True development is measured by the health of the citizens and the reliability of public utilities. Replacing 2,800 kilometers of pipes is a massive task, but it is a necessary one. The government’s current plans to revamp the network through agencies like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are long-overdue steps. But for the families in Indore and the residents of Delhi’s contaminated zones, these plans feel like "too little, too late."
A Call for Accountability
The laxity of the government in maintaining essential infrastructure is costing lives. We cannot wait for another Indore-style tragedy to occur in the national capital before we demand action. The authorities must move beyond testing chlorine levels and start the aggressive, large-scale replacement of the "cracked and leaking" network that currently serves millions.
The "wheel of development" is meaningless if it rolls over the health and safety of the people it is supposed to serve. It is time the government stops focusing on grand projects and starts fixing the pipes beneath our feet. Clean water is a right, not a luxury, and providing it is the bare minimum we should expect from those in power.
By Gautam Jha
Managing Editor
