Following the Prayagraj water crisis, the Allahabad HC has directed the DM and Jal Vibhag officer to appear in court tomorrow and restore water supply by evening.

The Allahabad High Court has directed the District Magistrate of Prayagraj and the top officer of Jalkal Vibhag to personally appear before the court in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by five residents of Tilak Nagar area. The plea highlights the issue of non-supply of water that has been affecting around 10,000 people of Pura Padiyan ward. 

The court has ordered  the government officials to ensure the uninterrupted supply of water to the affected area. If they fail to do so, the water supply of the concerned officers shall be disconnected. The bench of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava passed the order after the PIL plea submitted before the court that the residents of Tilak Nagar area have been facing a severe drinking water crisis since 2021.  

In June this year, a transformer was installed by the state power corporation to provide power to the tube well, which ultimately ensured drinking water supply to the residents. However, in July, the transformer was removed suddenly, resulting in the non-supply of drinking water to the residents. Now, seeking restoration of the electricity connection of the tube well, the PIL plea was moved before the court. 

According to the PIL appeal, “Only the transformer has been removed from the poles; the poles, wires, electricity board, and equipment are being installed and are not being removed from the spot.” The entire system is operational; once the transformer is fitted once more, the tube well will begin to run and the water crisis will cease to exist.” 

The Bench has taken a serious view of the matter and directed the concerned officials to ensure that the water supply is resumed by the evening.

Written by N.Yogendra Mani of KL University Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh  ( 5th semester) an intern under Legal Vidhiya

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