Shimla Villages Forced to Consume Contaminated Water, Authorities Silent on Action..
SHIMLA: THE CITY'S outskirts are bearing the brunt of unchecked urbanization, with villagers in areas like Paradi and Dhalli under Darbhog Panchayat forced to consume contaminated water.
The pollution, allegedly caused by unchecked wastewater disposal from hotels, flats, and commercial establishments near Nal Dehra, has sparked outrage among locals.
Members of the CPI(M) Kasumpti local committee, Dalip Thakur and Krishnanand Sharma, have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating health of villagers due to polluted water.
Kasumpti secretary Jayashiv Thakur called it a "shameful failure" on the part of authorities, stating,
“The proximity to Shimla city has turned our region into a dumping ground for urban negligence. Private hotels, homestays, and businesses are discharging untreated waste directly into water sources, leaving locals with no choice but to consume toxic water.”
The issue isn't isolated to Kasumpti. Villages near Fagu, Kufri, Mashobra, Baldeyan, Nal Dehra, and Mundaghat are grappling with similar crises. Thakur highlighted that not only are these commercial establishments polluting water sources, but they are also illegally siphoning water meant for local communities.
Authorities Under Fire
Despite these blatant violations, the Jal Shakti Vibhag, Pollution Control Board, and Urban Development Department have failed to take concrete action.
There has been no sampling of water sources, no inspections of wastewater management systems, and no penalties for offenders.
The CPI(M) has accused these departments of gross negligence, questioning why no notices have been slapped on these violators.
“This is not just neglect; this is criminal inaction. When will the Pollution Control Board wake up? When more villagers fall sick or die?
The Jal Shakti Vibhag and Tourism Department are equally complicit, allowing these businesses to operate unchecked,” fumed Thakur.
Demands for Immediate Action
The CPI(M) local committee has demanded an immediate joint inspection by the Pollution Control Board, Tourism Department, and Jal Shakti Vibhag to assess the water management systems of these hotels and commercial establishments.
They have also urged authorities to ensure that separate water arrangements are made for these businesses, so they stop encroaching on villagers' water supply.
If no action is taken, the CPI(M) has warned of a mass agitation. “We will not stand by as our villages are poisoned.
If the departments fail to act, we will take this fight to the streets,” said Thakur.
This crisis lays bare the failure of Shimla's authorities to take remedial measures. It has exposed system that prioritizes profit over people.
The question now is whether the concerned departments will wake up or continue to turn a blind eye to this brewing disaster.
