The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice on a plea seeking directions to ensure the availability of safe drinking water through public water supply systems across the country. The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 9.
The Tribunal has sought responses from a wide range of authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Jal Shakti, as well as the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), and other concerned authorities.
The petition, filed by Ambar and Kriti Ranjan, highlights instances of deaths and serious illnesses allegedly caused by contaminated drinking water in several regions, including Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Gujarat, Delhi, Noida, and other parts of the country.
Among the key reliefs sought, the petition urges the Tribunal to direct authorities to undertake GIS-based mapping and integrity audits of water supply and sewerage networks, particularly in affected and high-risk areas, to identify leakages, cross-contamination, and systemic failures.
The plea also seeks directions to ensure the immediate supply of safe drinking water through tankers, packaged water, or alternative safe sources, specifically citing Sector Delta-1 and other areas of Greater Noida, where residents have reportedly been exposed to contaminated water.
Further, the petition calls for immediate suspension or restriction of water supply through any pipeline, distribution line, or overhead tank found to be contaminated or suspected of contamination in affected areas.
It has also been prayed that in cases where there are complaints of foul-smelling water or a sudden spike in water-borne diseases such as gastroenteritis or typhoid, the concerned District Magistrate or Municipal Authority be directed to promptly issue public advisories, including instructions to boil water or refrain from consuming supplied water, until safety is assured.
The matter will be taken up next by the NGT on March 9.