The Delhi High Court on Friday pulled up the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for supplying contaminated water in several colonies in the eastern part of the Capital and asked the authorities could they could expect citizens to “drink sewage mixed water”.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal was hearing a plea which alleged that residents of Yojana Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jagriti Enclave and other adjacent areas received “highly contaminated potable water” mixed with sewage in their household taps.

“Unless someone knows the doors of the court, you yourself can’t do this? You are asking citizens of this city to drink sewage mixed water?” the Bench asked.

‘Pipeline needs replacement’
On July 2, the court had asked DJB to conduct an inspection of the affected areas. On Friday, the DJB in its status report stated that the water distribution system in Yojana Vihar, including in the petitioner’s house and adjoining areas, was installed 35 years ago, exceeding its operational life and requiring comprehensive replacement.

The agency said a tender for replacing the pipes would be invited by July 7 and the contract would be awarded by July 17. The project was proposed to be completed in 20 days from the date of the contract. It assured of undertaking the work relating to replacement of water distribution network and prioritising the damaged sections based on availability of budget.

The court directed that the work related to replacing old and damaged water supply pipes should be completed in any case by August 2025 and any failure would be “viewed seriously”.

It also asked the agency to file an affidavit providing the timeline in which the entire water distribution network in the area would be replaced.

The court will hear the case again on August 13.