Citizens complain of water contamination

AURANGABAD: Over 1,000 residents of the Bhimnagar slum are getting highly contaminated water from the tube-wells and well located near a nullah for the past one-and-a-half year since the municipal authorities initiated construction of underground drainage line in the area.Though the authorities began work in early 2016, the project is being carried out at snail’s pace compelling the residents to dump sewage waste directly into the nullhah, whose water is subsequently percolating into the tube wells and wells.It should be noted that the slum has no water supply line; thus, the tube wells and well are the only source of water for the 300 families staying there. “The residents are receiving contaminated water that also has a foul smell. Since they have no other option, the helpless residents are forced to consume it,” said Asha Vijay Nakalje, Bhimnagar corporator told TOI.“Cases of water-borne diseases have been frequently coming to fore but the authorities are downplaying the issue. Apart from this, residents are facing hardship because of the stinking sewage water accumulated in the nullah,” he added.Recently municipal commissioner Om Prakash Bakoria and other senior officers visited the slum and assured to increase the pace of the project. However, till now nothing has been done.Meanwhile, deputy mayor Smita Ghogre, group leader in the house in Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Gajanan Mangate, Nakalje and others visited the spot after local residents threated to launch an agitation.On the occasion, Ghogre directed AMC executive engineer Asfar Siddiqui to begin the work within eight days and complete it before monsoon. “If authorities fail to accomplish the task and leave the residents at the mercy of God, we will take a tough stand and teach the administration a lesson in Shiv Sena style,” she said.The city’s drainage system, built in the early 1980s, when city’s population stood at around 2 lakh, has developed leaks at many spots. In some places where water pipelines and drainage lines run parallel, leaking drainage lines have been contaminating tap.With the increasing population, the existing system is being over-utilised. Thus, the civic body initiated Rs 456 crore drainage project in August 2014. The project was supposed to be over by August 2017, but the project is behind schedule at many locations.