Dozens of residents, including children, reported vomiting, diarrhoea and fever after sewage mixed with the drinking water supply in Sector Delta 1 of Greater Noida. Teams from the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) and the health department inspected the area, repaired a leaking pipeline and distributed medicines, oral rehydration salts (ORS), glucose and antacids. Water samples have also been collected for laboratory testing.
Residents said they fear a repeat of an Indore-like tragedy that previously claimed multiple lives and hospitalised over a hundred people. Pointing to repeated leakages in the sector’s nearly three-decade-old pipelines and the poor quality of supply water, they demanded stricter monitoring and permanent repairs.
Leak repaired, samples sent for testing
GNIDA assistant manager (water department) Manoj Choudhary said a dilapidated water pipeline in Block C was found leaking and was immediately repaired. “We also inspected other parts of the sector and identified two more leaking pipelines, which were replaced,” he said, adding that post-repair checks showed the water quality to be normal.
Dr Narayan Kishore, chief medical superintendent at CHC Kasna, said a medical camp was organised after information from residents’ welfare association (RWA) members. “Around 30 people visited the camp. Five to six were given medicines, while others were advised ORS. The situation is under control, and another camp will be organised if required,” he said.
Residents recount illness, blame ageing infrastructure
Pramod Bhati, RWA president of Sector Delta 1, said around 12 residents have fallen ill so far, including children aged 12–15 years. “Most of them are from Block C, where the pipeline ruptured. They complained of vomiting, fever and loose motions,” he said, adding that this was the third instance of pipeline damage in a sector housing nearly 20,000 people across Blocks A to F. A similar leakage, he said, was earlier reported in Block F.
Rukmani Singh (42), a Block C resident suffering from a stomach infection since Monday, said she suspected the water immediately after feeling unwell. “I soon developed loose motions and felt very weak,” she said. Though her condition has improved slightly, she remains on medication. Four of her neighbours—Vinod Kumar, Surendra Sharma and Vijay Thakur, all in their late 40s, and 12-year-old Drati Sharma—reported similar symptoms.
Residents alleged that blocked sewer lines had been diverted into a drain, allowing sewage to seep into an old, leaking water pipeline running through the same channel. Rishipal Bhati said that despite Greater Noida being projected as an industrial and investment hub, basic civic amenities continue to lag.
“Instead of repairing the blocked sewer line, it was diverted into a drain. An uncovered manhole allowed dirty water to seep into an ageing water pipeline, contaminating the drinking supply,” said Deepak Kumar Bhati, convenor of the sector’s RWA. “We pay our bills, yet are forced to use contaminated water.”
Choudhary urged residents to promptly report any water or sewer leakages, assuring priority repairs. He added that the water department is preparing proposals to replace old pipelines, particularly in sectors facing recurring problems.
