Contaminated Water Supply: Delhi HC Directs Jal Board to Inspect Affected Areas

Noting that several areas in East Delhi were receiving highly contaminated water, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to conduct an inspection.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, passed the direction in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Dhruv Gupta.

The PIL raised concerns over the health and safety of residents in Yojana Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jagriti Enclave, and nearby areas in East Delhi, who were allegedly receiving contaminated drinking water mixed with sewage.

Observing that residents had been getting black-coloured water from their taps, the High Court directed that residents must be provided with clean, potable water.

The court also asked the counsel for the DJB to obtain instructions from the relevant authorities and update the court on the steps taken by Friday.

The bench directed that if any faults are identified during the inspection, especially those requiring urgent attention, they must be rectified without any delay.

The plea before the High Court argued that the citizens’ right to clean drinking water had been seriously violated. The petitioner submitted that the supply of highly contaminated water could result in severe health issues and could also potentially lead to a mass health crisis.

According to the PIL, residents have been receiving contaminated water since June 12. Despite submitting complaints to the authorities, no action was reportedly taken.

The plea also contended that such a supply infringes the citizens’ fundamental right to safe drinking water under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Owing to these concerns, the plea urged the court to issue appropriate directions to the Delhi Government and the DJB to ensure the supply of clean, potable water free from sewage contamination in the affected areas at the earliest.

With PTI inputs