Mallepally, A Bholakpur In Waiting?

Mallepally residents are of the opinion that civic authorities take pleasure in rubbing salt onto their wounds. The residents say that repeated complaints over the low pressure of the water supplied by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, have resulted in just the opposite effect.

Instead of increasing the pressure, the board started to supply contaminated water a few months ago.

One of the residents of the area says, "Ever since we complained about the low pressure in the area, instead of solving the problem, the Water Board has started to supply polluted water."

She adds, "This has added to our agony, as the health of our children is our prime concern."

With last year's Bholakpur tragedy - in which 9 persons died and over 500 needed treatment - still fresh in their minds, the residents of Mallepally are forced to boil the contaminated water or buy bottled water at a premium, in order to quench their thirst.

A resident of the area, Mansoor Noman, noticed the unusual colour of the water when he was filling drinking water pots. Says Mansoor, "Something which looked like bits of sewage got collected in the pots, and the changed colour immediately roused my suspicion of the water being contaminated."

He immediately alerted his neighbours, and soon after, the residents of the entire area became apprehensive about using the pipeline supply of water.

Requests, pleas, warnings and even threats by the residents have evoked little response by the HMWSSB so far. Reportedly, the only response was an assurance from officials concerned that they will solve the problem soon.

Till the time of filing this report, however, no action has been taken. And till the time any action is taken, Mallepally is just another Bholakpur in waiting.

Courtesy: INN