'Gastro' claims 7 lives, but no action yet

LUDHIANA: Aren’t seven deaths reportedly due to gastroenteritis not enough to jolt authorities from their deep sleep and understand the gravity of the situation? However, the health authorities have not yet confirmed the number of deaths. Though health officials on Friday visited Sherpur area, from where the deaths were reported, water has not been chlorinated and sanitation department also hasn’t come to residents’ aid.
Besides seven deaths, around 200 people are down with gastroenteritis. Heaps of garbage, choked sewage, roads flooded with sewerage water and filthy smell? Welcome to Sherpur area. This story is repeated year after year, but administration comes into action only after the outbreak of some diseases. After it comes under control, nobody bothers to find out the root-cause of the problem.
A large part of land in front of houses is lying in bad shape. Nearly 100 people stay in about 20-25 small rooms with only one or two toilets for these families. The poor construction is also a reason for insanitation as there is hardly any provision for ventilation in these rooms, not to talk about proper sewerage lines.
Though health department have identified risk areas which include Giaspura, Daba road, Sherpur, New Shimla Puri, Kot Mangal Singh, Madhopuri, Salem Tabri, Amarpura, Issanagri, Aslam Ganj, Dhakka Colony, Dr Ambedkar Colony, nothing has been done in these areas.
This year till now, the health department has collected water samples from various high risk areas and most of the samples failed purity test. But even then authorities failed to act. According to reports by health department in the month of July, 164 water samples were collected out of which 144 samples failed tests.
Residents alleged that this is the most ignored part of the city as nobody bothers to keep a check on what is happening here. Despite reminders authorities do not take any action and wait for outbreak of the disease.
Brijesh Kumar, a resident, said the authorities only visit the place when a few deaths occur and municipal corporation as well as health department do nothing at all. He added that in every household at least two to three members are affected from gastroenteritis.
Echoing his views, Durgesh Yadav said despite reminders to municipal corporation no one has come to check the pipes and the area is just like garbage dump.
Dr GP Mangla, district epidemiologist, who visited the affected area said he will be compiling reports and then only the exact number of deaths could be confirmed.
Residents claimed that authorities were not bothered about cleanliness of the areas and till now chlorine tablets have not been distributed.