Sewage in taps, garbage on streets: Sector 49C in Chandigarh cries for help

Allotted between 2010 and 2011, the housing board flats for economically weaker sections (EWS) are just over a decade old, but the infrastructure is already crumbling. For the past two to three months, residents have complained of sewage mixing with their tap water — resulting in illness and distress. Despite submitting multiple complaints and photographic proof, authorities carried out only a single round of water testing. Water quality improved briefly but deteriorated again soon after.

“The smell here is unbearable and makes us feel sick,” said Parmeela Devi, a resident. “We’ve complained to everyone, but nothing has changed. Sewage keeps mixing with our drinking water.” She added that her children have suffered from fevers, stomach infections, and dengue, with stagnant sewage becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. When officials did visit, she said, “they dug up the broken pipe and then told us to replace it ourselves. We can’t really afford it”.

The colony’s iron pipelines, prone to rust and breakage, are at the root of the issue. But garbage disposal has added to the crisis. A vacant plot near the Valley of Animal Park, close to the colony, is being used as an illegal dumping ground by Municipal Corporation (MC) contractors. According to residents, when they objected, the trash was merely buried under mud. Public dustbins have also been removed, and garbage is now collected only once a week.

“They took away our dustbins, and now garbage is piling up everywhere,” said Vikas, another resident. “When we complained about the illegal dumping by the MC, they just quietly covered the trash with mud. It’s making our colony dirty and unhealthy.”

Sewage manholes, residents say, are never cleaned properly. “The stench from the leaking sewage makes it impossible to live here,” said Surjeet Kumar. Mandeep Sharma, who parks behind his building, added, “We file water complaints every day, but nothing changes. Water keeps leaking, and parking is a mess.”

A local vendor painted a grim picture: “Moss has started growing in the stagnant sewage water and the stench is as bad as if hundreds of dead chickens were dumped here”. Frustrated by inaction, some residents have started cleaning gutters themselves. “We have no choice but to do it ourselves,” said one member of a couple clearing a blocked drain outside their home.

Vikas pointed to a fresh concern: “MC workers cleaned the gutters once, but then dumped the waste right outside the school boundary.” With broken pipes and blocked drains all around, he warned, “We need immediate action to improve our water systems.”

Area councillor Rajinder Sharma blamed faulty housing board construction, saying sewage and drinking water pipelines were laid parallel and are prone to cross-contamination when cracks appear. He claimed manholes fall under the MC’s jurisdiction, while residents must maintain chambers outside their homes. He also denied allegations of illegal dumping by the MC.

But residents remain unconvinced, saying the MC’s actions are inconsistent and inadequate. With the monsoon approaching, they fear the situation will worsen and urge urgent intervention to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.