The Delhi High Court came down heavily on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for failing to ensure clean drinking water across the city. During a hearing, the court expressed serious concern over reports of water being contaminated with sewage, especially in areas like North East Delhi and South Delhi.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan asked, “You want citizens to drink sewage-mixed water?” while reviewing a report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), which revealed alarming levels of contamination in drinking water samples.

The court questioned the DJB’s accountability and highlighted the serious health risks posed to lakhs of residents, especially children. It ordered the DJB to take immediate remedial measures and submit a comprehensive action plan, including a timeline for fixing pipelines, improving water quality, and ensuring real-time monitoring.

The issue has sparked public outrage and renewed debate over the quality of essential services in the national capital. The court stressed that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right and not a luxury, urging authorities to treat the matter with utmost urgency.