SURVIVORS of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy have alleged that nearly 70 per cent of drinking water samples tested in residential areas surrounding the abandoned Union Carbide factory showed the presence of faecal coliform, indicating widespread sewage contamination in municipal supply. Addressing mediapersons on Friday, rights activists accused the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) of putting public health at risk and creating a crisis akin to the recent water contamination tragedy in Indore’s Bhagirathpura. Activists pointed out that despite a August 2018 Supreme Court direction instructing the civic body to lay down sewage lines and ensure proper drainage following similar complaints, no concrete progress has been made over the past eight years.

 

Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action demanded immediate timebound execution of drainage plans, strict punitive action against negligent officials, and the establishment of an independent water quality monitoring system to prevent waterborne fatalities. Refuting the allegations, BMC Superintending Engineer (Water Supply) Udit Garg stated that the test report cited by the activists was not conducted by an accredited laboratory and therefore lacked reliability. He emphasised that the municipal corporation supplies piped drinking water across all 42 gas-affected localities and routinely conducts water sample testing to ensure safety standards.