NHRC seeks action report on contaminated water outbreak in Ahmedabad

By A Representative 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi has issued notices to the Secretary of the Water Supply Department in Gandhinagar, the Ahmedabad District Collector and the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, seeking an action-taken report within four weeks on allegations of human rights violations arising from a major outbreak of waterborne diseases in Behrampura, Danilimda ward of Ahmedabad city.

According to the complaint, a serious health crisis unfolded in Behrampura after an old sewage line allegedly merged with the drinking water pipeline, contaminating the water supplied to thousands of residents. Human rights activist Kantilal Parmar and his colleagues visited the affected areas and later filed a petition before the NHRC in Delhi, highlighting the violation of residents’ right to health and dignified living.

The petition states that localities including Parikshitlal Nagar, Sakalchand Mukhi ni Chali, Fakir Mukhi ni Chali, Bhilvas Vasudevdhanji ni Chali, Gautam Nagar and adjoining areas had been receiving highly contaminated water for several days. As a result, more than 300 people reportedly suffered from illnesses such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and cholera-like symptoms. Three to four deaths were also reported due to lack of timely treatment. Over 50 residents were admitted to government and private hospitals, while several others were treated at home due to shortage of hospital beds.

Residents had repeatedly approached the local corporator and municipal officials with written, oral and in-person complaints, but no remedial action was taken, the petition claims. It further alleges that the overhead water tank supplying the area had not been cleaned and even contained dead animals, worsening contamination and causing foul-smelling water to flow into households.

The NHRC petition includes demands for immediate supply of clean drinking water, urgent renovation and cleaning of the water tank, replacement of damaged drinking water pipelines contaminated by sewage, door-to-door medical examinations of all affected residents, free treatment for the sick, inquiry and compensation for the minor girl who reportedly died, criminal and departmental action against negligent officials, and arrangements for hospital admissions for patients turned away due to overcrowding.

The petition argues that the incident amounts to a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life with dignity, including the right to health. Parmar has urged both the State Human Rights Commission in Gandhinagar and the NHRC in Delhi to ensure immediate intervention and accountability from authorities, stating that residents of the affected areas continue to suffer due to official negligence.