2 weeks ago
Rajarhat water contamination leaves 100 residents ill, FIR lodged
Many families live in a big apartment building called Happyville, near a place called Rajarhat.
After the tap water became dirty, more than 100 people who live there got sick.
People had tummy aches, fevers, body pain, and some even got rashes.
A few people, including a four-year-old child, had to go to the hospital.
The trouble started last Friday, when the water began to smell really bad.
Workers found that the lid of the big underground water tank was open, and dirty water and even a dead frog could get inside.
The residents were so worried that they told the police and filed a report.
The builders are now cleaning the tanks, sending clean water in big tankers, and making the tank lids safer.
Doctors and health workers are visiting the complex every day to help sick families feel better.
Many families left their homes for a while, and everyone hopes the water will be safe again soon.
More than 100 residents of the Siddha Happyville housing complex near Rajarhat fell ill after tap water was contaminated, with several hospitalised, including a four-year-old child.
Residents lodged an FIR at Rajarhat police station on Wednesday night over the water contamination.
The trouble began last Friday when residents noticed a foul smell; the underground reservoir lid was found open, and a dead frog was found when the tank was cleaned on Sunday.
Reported symptoms included diarrhoea, fever, body ache, rashes and eye infections, and about 30 per cent of residents left the complex for alternative accommodation.
The Siddha Group developers said the water is now safe after cleaning and lab tests, while residents seek treated water from the NKDA-run New Town water treatment plant.
- Who
- Residents of the Siddha Happyville housing complex near Rajarhat, including children and senior citizens; the Siddha Group developers; local MLA Piyush Kanodia; and Rajarhat police.
- What
- A water contamination crisis sickened more than 100 residents, triggered an FIR and prompted about 30 per cent of families to leave the complex.
- Where
- Siddha Happyville, a housing complex near the Rajarhat four-point crossing in the New Town (Hidco planning) area.
- When
- Foul-smelling water was noticed last Friday; the FIR was lodged on Wednesday night.
- Why
- An underground water reservoir with open, floor-level lids allowed contaminated surface water, debris and even a dead frog to enter the supply, with possible septic tank seepage also suspected.
Residents' stance
Developers' stance
Cause of contamination
Residents' stance
Residents allege the reservoir lids sat at floor level and were left open, letting dirty surface water, construction debris and creatures get inside, and they suspect septic tank seepage.
Developers' stance
The Siddha Group says all water passes through its own treatment plant, tanks are cleaned every three months, and water is tested by certified agencies.
Safety of the water now
Residents' stance
Residents remain alarmed, queuing at municipal tankers and buying bottled water after delivery apps ran out of stock.
Developers' stance
Developers say tanks were cleaned over the weekend, a laboratory test result was shared with residents, and the water is now safe for consumption.
History of the problem
Residents' stance
Residents claim flats have been getting black or yellow water every other day for two years and that the crisis was waiting to happen.
Developers' stance
Developers say the complex has housed about 700 families since 2019 and such a problem has never happened in the past.
Key facts
- Location
- Near Rajarhat four-point crossing, New Town (Hidco planning) area
- Affected complex
- Siddha Happyville
- Residents affected
- More than 100
- Residents relocated
- About 30 per cent
- Police action
- FIR lodged at Rajarhat police station
- Developer
- Siddha Group
- Reservoir capacity
- 3.5 lakh litres
- Reported symptoms
- Diarrhoea, fever, body ache, rashes, eye infection
Quotes
Tanmay Chatterjee
General manager (facility), Siddha Group
“The smell was of something rotten. We went over to find one of the lids of the underground reservoir lying open and the area littered with construction materials,”
telegraphindia.com
“We have got a laboratory test done and the result has been shared with residents,”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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