Bhagirathpura repairs continue in narrow lanes, people still boiling water:After 3 months, 10% area yet to get pipeline; water supplied by 9 tankers

Bhagirathpura has not fully returned to normal even three months after the contaminated water incident. Soon after the tragedy, the entire administrative team had camped in the area, but now visits by officials have reduced. The Health Department is currently monitoring the situation by holding camps every 15 days. Clean water supply has resumed, yet residents are still boiling water as a precaution. In December, hundreds of people fell ill due to contaminated water. Many had to be admitted to hospital, and several families lost their loved ones. Following the incident, water supply was stopped and a detailed inspection of the entire pipeline network was carried out. It was then found that only 60 per cent of the area had new pipelines. Work was taken up on a war footing, and an additional 25 per cent area saw pipeline replacement. However, even after three months, only about 90 per cent of the area has been covered. Despite claims by the civic body, work in 10 to 15 per cent of the area is still pending. Excess bleaching, residents remain cautious In areas where water is being supplied through tanks, people are still boiling it before use. A local resident, Kamal, said that the water now appears clean, but officials have advised boiling it before drinking. Another resident, Shubham, said the water is clear but has a strong smell of bleaching, so they prefer to boil it before use. Dense population is slowing down work According to Councillor Kamal Waghela, water testing is being carried out daily in the area. He said that dense habitation and narrow lanes are slowing down pipeline work. Around 10 per cent of the work is still left, he added. The Health Department is organising camps every 15 days, while around 10 per cent of the area still awaits completion of pipeline work. Warning against using borewell water During inspections, several borewells in the area were found to be contaminated, leading to the closure of some of them. There are 114 government borewells in the area, and residents have been advised not to drink the water. Meanwhile, daily chlorine testing is being conducted by the civic body. Water samples from taps are currently reported to be safe. Water supply through tankers continues Normal supply through overhead tanks has not yet been fully restored across the area. Water is still being supplied to the remaining population through nine tankers. At the peak of the crisis in December, 30 to 40 tankers were deployed. After the incident, changes were made to the water supply system. Tanks are now being filled up to three metres, and water is being distributed in two phases to provide relief to residents. Nearly 90 per cent of the area has seen pipeline replacement so far, while the remaining work is still in progress.