Hundreds fall ill after suspected sewage contamination in Jaipur locality; residents allege negligece

Hundreds of residents in Jaipur’s Sushilpura area have reportedly fallen sick over the past week, with suspected sewage contamination in the drinking water supply triggering a health concern.

Many people have experienced symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea and fever, with children and the elderly said to be the most affected.

Residents say the situation has disrupted daily life, with a large number of households now depending on water tankers or purchasing packaged drinking water.Pooran Mal Kumawat, a resident, 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.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.

According to the residents, the problem began after road construction work in the area allegedly damaged underground pipelines, leading to sewage mixing with drinking water.

Overflowing drains and broken streets have further worsened conditions, they said.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 were 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 thedistribution 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.