JAIPUR: Hundreds of residents in the Sushilpura area have fallen ill over the past week, allegedly due to sewage contamination of the drinking water supply, triggering a health scare.Many residents have reported similar symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, and fever, with children and the elderly among the worst affected. Locals claim the crisis has impacted nearly every household, forcing many to depend on water tankers or purchase packaged drinking water.A resident, Pooran Mal Kumawat, said his family has been unwell for several days.“We have all been suffering from diarrhoea and weakness. My wife even had to take injections,” he said.Another resident, Janki Saini, said the situation has become increasingly difficult. “All three of my children are suffering from stomach pain and fever, and we are arranging water from outside,” she said.Jagdish Sahu, who has spent thousands of rupees on medical treatment so far, highlighted the financial burden caused by the crisis.“My mother and I are unwell, and I had to take my son for treatment. We are buying water daily, which is adding to our expenses,” he said.Residents said the problem began after road construction work in the area allegedly damaged underground pipelines, leading to sewage mixing with drinking water. They added that overflowing drains and damaged streets have further worsened the situation.Dr Anil Mehta, in charge of a nearby government dispensary, said more than 150 patients with similar symptoms have been treated in the past three days alone. Private practitioners in the area have also reported a surge in such cases.Civil Lines MLA Gopal Sharma, who visited the area multiple times following protests by residents, said efforts are underway to resolve the issue.“The government and administration are working hard to find a permanent solution at the earliest, and officials have been directed to restore the clean water supply,” he said.Sharma added that teams from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the health department have been deployed, and relief measures such as the distribution of medicines and water supply arrangements are being carried out.However, former Congress MLA Pratap Singh Khachariyawas alleged negligence on the part of the authorities and questioned the decision to undertake road work.“If the road was in good condition, why was it dug up? Damage to sewer and water lines due to such work has led to this crisis,” he said, warning of protests if the issue is not resolved soon.Residents, meanwhile, said tanker supply remains inadequate despite assurances, and contaminated water is still being used for non-drinking purposes.Authorities said efforts are underway to repair damaged pipelines and ensure safe drinking water, even as the health department continues to closely monitor the situation.(With agency inputs)
