In a significant directive addressing the longstanding issue of clean drinking water in certain areas of Lucknow, the Allahabad High Courthas asked the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) to “wake up to the plight” of Lucknow’s populace and ensure the availability of clean drinking water for them.
The order was passed by a bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by Utkarsh Lok Sewa Sansthan through its President (Aruna Singh) in 2016, concerning the persistent grievances raised by residents regarding the quality of water supplied to their homes.
Hearing the matter on May 2, the Court was informed that adequate drinking water was not being provided to the residents of Sarai Hasanganj, Barauri, Barauliya, Akbar Nagar, HardasiKhera, Duda Colony, DamdanKaPurwa, ChinhatandMatiyari in Lucknow.
The Court noted that the PIL plea has remained pending since 2016, and the Municipal Corporation, Lucknow (LMC), did not “bother” to file a counter affidavit despite the court’s clear direction in June, 2021.
The Court was also apprised that in a meeting attended by officials of the UP Jal Nigam and the State Authorities, a proposal was mooted to redress the difficulties faced by the residents concerning proper drinking water. However, thereafter, nothing substantial has happened since then.
Against this backdrop, the Court, while observing that it “did not appreciate the apathy on the part of the LMC” in the matter, granted the corporation an opportunity to survey the area to ascertain/ensure the availability of clean and adequate drinking water to the residents of the aforesaid areas.
The Court further directed that if it is found that this facility is lacking or deficient, remedies should be taken as measures. An affidavit in this regard should be filed positively by the next date of listing.
The matter will now come up for a hearing on May 29.
Source: https://t.ly/cY3pF
