Not even a month passed when the water from the STP was provided to Kharadi residents, and it led to outrage across Pune. The residents of merged villages, who are expected to pay hefty taxes, have been raising their civic issues, especially on the water supply since last few years.
In 2021, when PMC saw the addition of 23 new villages within its limits, it became the biggest civic body in the state. The addition of these villages happened even as the civic body was struggling to meet the water demands of the 11 earlier merged villages.
Water woes of merged villages
As the civic body failed to provide access to water, let alone safe drinking water, residents in the area resorted to tankers in Pune. It should be noted that the outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, started from these merged villages of Dhayari, Khadakwasla, Kirkitwadi, and Nanded City and now has spread to other areas of Pune, rural parts of the district, along with areas under Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and now even in districts like Kolhapur, Nagpur, and Solapur.
Despite paying taxes, these villages are not provided treated water yet. Most of the water supplied through pipelines in these villages is untreated. The raw water from the Khadakwasla Dam is channeled into a well, from which it is pumped and distributed through the pipeline.
80 percent cases from areas located around a mega well in Nanded village
In the Khadakwasla, Dhayari, and Nanded City areas, the area merged into civic limits has yet to be supplied with treated water. The gram panchayat developed the old water supply line, and the PMC provided raw water after merely chlorinating it, informed as per the information by Nandkumar Jagtap, head of the civic water supply department,.
However, Jagtap added that there is no water contamination. But the residents of these areas suspect that the contamination took place near the mega well in Nanded village on Sinhagad Road.
On Monday, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar disclosed that 80 percent of the suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, in Pune have been reported from areas located around a mega well in Nanded village on Sinhgad Road.
Abitkar, who was in the city to review the GBS situation, noted that the high number of cases in certain areas appears to be linked to suspected water contamination and assured that the civic body is looking into the issue.
Here's what the state health minister said:
After inspecting the water body in Nanded village, he stated, "80 percent of cases are from areas around this well. The state health department and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are taking necessary measures to address the issue." The well is the source of water for villages located adjoining it.
Officials and locals suspect that water supplied from the well is contaminated, leading to a spike in suspected GBS cases in the region. These areas recently came under the PMC's jurisdiction, making the civic body responsible for ensuring the supply of clean water to residents.
Asked about accountability for the suspected contamination, Abitkar said, "Concrete measures are being implemented to ensure the supply of clean drinking water. Responsibility will be fixed where necessary. Additionally, the state needs to establish comprehensive SOPs involving municipal corporations, Zilla Parishads, and other local bodies to prevent such issues in the future." He emphasized that GBS tends to affect individuals with weak immunity.
"The high number of cases in certain areas appears to be linked to suspected water contamination. Steps are being taken to resolve the issue and ensure clean water supply," the minister noted.
Notably, Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, which usually cause stomach infection, trigger the GBS disease. Consuming water contaminated with this bacteria may increase the risk of developing the immunological nerve disorder.
Abitkar assured that the state government would ensure no contaminated water is supplied across Maharashtra.
Addressing complaints from residents about receiving poor-quality water despite paying taxes to the PMC, the minister promised to address any gaps in the system.
He urged people to drink boiled water and focus on improving their immunity.
