NHRC Flags Contaminated Water Crises In Gujarat, MP As Human Rights Violations, Seeks Reply

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of serious drinking water contamination incidents in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar and Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, terming them grave lapses in governance with far-reaching public health and human rights implications.

In separate notices issued to the Chief Secretaries of both States soon after the incidents were reported about the outbreaks, the Commission has sought detailed reports on the health consequences, administrative failures, accountability of officials, and corrective measures undertaken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In Gandhinagar, the NHRC acted on reports of a sudden surge in typhoid cases, traced to sewage contamination of the drinking water supply. According to the State Health Department, at least 70 active typhoid cases have been identified, largely concentrated in a particular locality. Investigations revealed seven leakage points in the water pipeline network, which allowed sewage to mix with potable water.

Taking note of the outbreak, the Commission observed that the episode had exposed serious deficiencies in the newly laid water supply infrastructure. “As per the media report dated January 4, 2026, doctors have confirmed this to be a water-borne outbreak. Medical teams are prioritising early diagnosis and prompt treatment,” the NHRC said in its statement.

Children form a significant proportion of the affected population. A 30-bed paediatric ward has been set up at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, where doctors reported that most patients presented with high fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal distress. The local civic body has conducted door-to-door health surveys covering over 1.58 lakh residents and distributed chlorine tablets and oral rehydration salts (ORS). Officials have also claimed that the identified pipeline leakages have since been repaired.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level review meeting earlier this week, during which Gandhinagar Municipal Commissioner J.N. Vaghela informed that the number of new cases had begun to decline following intensified containment measures and repair work.

Earlier this month, the NHRC took cognisance of a more severe incident in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore district, where several people reportedly died and many others were hospitalised after consuming contaminated drinking water. The Commission noted that residents had complained for days about foul-smelling and discoloured water, but timely action was allegedly not taken.

It cited media reports dated December 31, 2025, that said the main drinking water pipeline in the area runs beneath a public toilet. A leakage in the line reportedly caused sewage to mix with the water supply, while multiple broken distribution pipelines further aggravated the contamination, allowing polluted water to reach households.

Observing that the reported facts, if true, indicate a serious violation of the right to life and health, the NHRC issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary seeking a comprehensive report on accountability, remedial steps, and compensation, if any, to the affected families.

Public health experts warn that such incidents are not isolated failures but symptomatic of deeper structural neglect in urban water management. They underline the urgent need for continuous water quality surveillance, swift grievance redressal, and strong accountability mechanisms to ensure access to safe drinking water—a fundamental human right.

Highlighting the often-overlooked consequences of prolonged exposure to contaminated water, Dr. Vikramjeet Singh, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aakash Healthcare, described such incidents as a “long-term health misery” for affected communities.

“While the immediate health effects of contaminated water are acute and easily recognisable, the long-term consequences of sustained exposure are far more troubling and complex,” Dr. Singh told The Health Outlook.

He explained that exposure occurs through two major pathways—biological agents such as bacteria and viruses, and chemical pollutants—a risk that is particularly high in cities located along riverbanks that serve as primary drinking water sources.

“Over time, individuals exposed to contaminated water may develop chronic gastrointestinal disorders, including persistent diarrhoea, acidity, irritable bowel syndrome and increased vulnerability to intestinal inflammation,” he said.

Chemical contamination, especially from heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, poses even graver risks. “These substances can have profound neurological and developmental effects, particularly in children. Long-term exposure is linked to impaired cognitive development, behavioural issues and learning difficulties,” Dr. Singh noted.

He added that prolonged ingestion of water contaminated with carcinogenic substances significantly increases the risk of cancers of the bladder, liver, and kidneys. Repeated exposure to waterborne pathogens can also fuel antimicrobial resistance, making infections harder to treat and more recurrent.

“Persistent bacterial exposure weakens the immune system and may even trigger autoimmune responses, including chronic inflammatory arthritis,” he warned.

In addition, long-term intake of contaminants such as nitrates, heavy metals, and industrial solvents can result in serious organ damage, including kidney and liver dysfunction, pancreatic disorders, and chronic urinary tract and bladder conditions.

“These long-term health effects often develop silently and are frequently missed unless clinicians carefully evaluate a patient’s history of exposure to contaminated water,” Dr. Singh said.