Delhi High Court directs Delhi Jal Board to stop open sewer leakage at Shaheen Bagh

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to take immediate steps to stop leakage from an open sewer in Shaheen Bagh area [Court on its own Motion vs Union of India & Ors.].

The Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed the DJB to take the assistance of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Public Works Department (PWD) or any other civic body for this purpose.

The Court referred to a Times of India report dated January 7 which flagged the leakage from an open sewer in Okhla area near Shaheen Bagh.

“People cannot walk on the road. There is some leakage. It is in a bad shape. Open sewer can be safety, security and health hazard for the residents. Accordingly, the DJB shall look into it and obtain instructions, and check if it needs assistance from MCD, PWD, etc or other bodies. The leakage shall be fixed immediately. The bodies shall immediately inspect the area and file a status report," the Court stated.

The Court passed these directions while hearing the case the concerning the issue of waterlogging in Delhi.

With regard to the main issue concerning waterlogging, the Court noted that status reports have been filed by relevant authorities. It then proceeded to direct the civic bodies to hold a meeting to address issues raised by MCD and to flag those issues that do not get resolved.

The matter will be heard next on January 16.