NGT Directs Municipal Corporations to Ensure Clean Drinking Water Supply, Issues Notice on Pan-India Contamination Plea
Pranav B Prem
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal at New Delhi has directed municipal corporations to ensure uninterrupted supply of clean and safe drinking water to residents, while issuing notice in an original application alleging contamination of municipal drinking water in several cities across the country.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member). The Tribunal was dealing with an application raising serious concerns regarding supply of discoloured, foul-smelling and sewage-mixed drinking water through municipal pipelines, allegedly resulting in water-borne diseases and health complications among residents.
The applicant specifically pointed out complaints from residents of Sector Delta-I, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly suffered from acute gastrointestinal illness and other health issues due to contaminated drinking water. It was contended that sewage was mixing with potable water supplied by the municipal authorities. The application further stated that similar issues had been reported from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhinagar in Gujarat, Pune in Maharashtra, and Bengaluru in Karnataka, indicating a widespread systemic problem in municipal water management.
In support of the allegations, reliance was placed on various news reports filed along with the application, highlighting incidents of contaminated water supply and resultant public health risks in different cities. The Tribunal noted that the application raised substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and public health safeguards under environmental laws.
Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, the Tribunal issued notice to the respondents, directing them to file their replies by way of affidavits at least one week prior to the next date of hearing. During the proceedings, counsel for the applicant submitted that all concerned municipal corporations would be impleaded within two days. The Tribunal recorded the submission and clarified that notice would be issued to the municipal corporations after impleadment is completed and an amended memo of parties is filed.
Pending further consideration of the matter, the Tribunal issued an interim direction to the respondent municipal corporations to ensure that clean drinking water is supplied to residents till the next date of hearing. The Bench emphasized that access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity and failure to ensure the same raises serious environmental and public health concerns. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 9 March 2026, when the Tribunal will consider the responses filed by the authorities and examine the issue in greater detail.
Cause Title: Suyash Kumar Mishra V. Union of India & Ors.
Case No: Original Application No. 21/2026
Coram: Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member)
