NGT notice to U.P., M.P., and Rajasthan govts. over ‘serious health issues’ due to sewage in drinking water

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of “serious health issues” of sewage contamination in drinking water reported in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, based on multiple news reports.

The NGT has issued notices to all three State governments and other agencies to file their affidavits on the matter, according to an official statement.

“The news reports highlight alarming conditions where sewage water has mixed with drinking water pipelines due to corroded and decades-old infrastructure. Cities in Rajasthan including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Banswara, Jaipur, Ajmer and Bora have reportedly been affected. Photographs accompanying the reports show drinking water pipelines passing through open sewage drains, creating grave health risks,” the statement issued on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) said.

The NGT said the news report revealed that in Greater Noida (Sector Delta-1), several residents, including children, fell ill with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea after sewage contaminated with drinking water.

Fear of Indore-like situation

“Authorities reportedly repaired leaks and distributed medicines; however, residents expressed fear of an Indore-like water contamination tragedy. The same report also noted detection of E-coli bacteria in drinking water in parts of Bhopal, caused by sewage leakage into tube-wells,” the statement said.

At least six people died due to vomiting and diarrhoea caused by drinking contaminated water supplied through pipelines in Indore city of Madhya Pradesh recently.

The green court observed that the issues raised involve “serious environmental and public health concerns” and prima facie indicate violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

The Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A. Senthil Vel, has sought responses from authorities concerned in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, including their respective Pollution Control Boards and Regional Offices of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), as per the statement.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also been directed to file a response.

The NGT said that the matter will be examined to ensure accountability, compliance with environmental laws, and protection of citizens’ right to safe drinking water.