6 engineers suspended after 2 dead due to contaminated water supply in Nainital

Uttarakhand suspended six engineers after contaminated drinking water in Jyolikot was linked to widespread illness and two deaths. The action came as the High Court pressed for clean water, medical relief and stricter testing.

In Short

• Contaminated drinking water left residents across Jyolikot and nearby villages unwell
• High Court declared situation an epidemic, ordered strict water and sewage checks
• Government vows strict action against negligence in public health and water safety

Six engineers from the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan and Peyjal Nigam have been suspended following an outbreak of illness linked to contaminated drinking water in Nainital district's Jyolikot area, where two people have died.

The action was taken on the orders of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami based on a report submitted by the district administration. The engineers have been accused of negligence in discharging their official duties.

Those suspended include the in-charge Superintending Engineer of Jal Sansthan, Haldwani; an Assistant Engineer and an Additional Assistant Engineer of Nainital Jal Sansthan; and an Executive Engineer, in-charge Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer of Peyjal Nigam, Bhimtal.

The Executive Engineer of Nainital Jal Sansthan has been warned of strict action if any negligence is found in the future.

TWO DEATHS AFTER CONTAMINATED WATER SUPPLY

The disciplinary action comes days after contaminated drinking water in Jyolikot and surrounding villages left a large number of people ill and triggered concern over a possible waterborne disease outbreak.

The affected areas included Beluvakhan, Jyolikot, Gethia, Sariyatal, Durgapur, Ganja, Veerbhatti and Chheena. Several cases of jaundice were reported, while the deaths of a 16-year-old student and a 26-year-old woman had sparked panic among residents.

The Nainital district administration had launched relief measures, with medical teams deployed across seven villages for door-to-door distribution of chlorine tablets and ORS. Eight doctors and an ambulance were also stationed in the affected areas.

HIGH COURT HAD FLAGGED 'EPIDEMIC'

The suspensions follow scrutiny by the Uttarakhand High Court, which on September 8 directed authorities to ensure clean drinking water and adequate medical facilities for residents of Jyolikot and neighbouring villages.

The court described the situation as an "epidemic" and directed Nainital District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal to personally oversee relief operations.

During the hearing of a PIL, Nainital's Chief Medical Officer Dr Rashmi Pant told the court that contaminated water was responsible for the illnesses. The court also directed authorities to get drinking water tested by private laboratories rather than relying only on internal testing.

COURT ORDERS WATER, SEWAGE LINES TO BE CHECKED

The High Court directed the Jal Sansthan and Peyjal Nigam to ensure that sewage and drinking water pipelines do not mix. It also ordered inspections for water contamination and sewage leakage in Nainital city and directed officials to collect samples from 20 to 25 locations.

The court further asked authorities to bring in specialist doctors from outside if adequate specialists were unavailable locally.

The court had also directed the secretary concerned to take an early decision on a proposal to establish a water-testing laboratory in the Kumaon region.

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY: CMO

The Chief Minister's Office said negligence in matters concerning drinking water and public health would be dealt with seriously.

The government said responsibility would be fixed in cases involving public health and strict action would be taken against officials and employees found to be ignoring public interest.

The latest suspensions were ordered following the district administration's report and subsequent action by the concerned departments.

- Ends