Amidst jaundice outbreak at Dhatkidih and cases touching 108 at TMH alone in August, JUSCO has claimed encroachment over the sewer and water lines are leading to contamination in Dhatkidih area, said officials.
Dhananjay Mishra, senior general manager, Jamshedpur Town Service, Jusco spoke about the incidence of jaundice cases in few pockets of Dhatkidih area.
He said that the company has carried thorough investigation and has found that illegal water and sewer connections led to mixing of sewer with drinking water pipelines.
“We have identified 195 defaulters, who have been involved in illegal connections that led to contaminating of water. Moreover, we have found that old and damaged attached pits at customer end overhead tanks / underground sumps are not cleaned regularly,” noted Mishra, while addressing media at Centre for Excellence. He added that penalty amount for those 195 illegal sewer connections will soon be decided.
He said that as the cases of jaundice got reported the company ensured to wash out of supply water pipelines done in A & B Block and also in the main line.
On the spot checking done of all wash out points and found that the quality of water was satisfactory.
Moreover, as precautionary measures awareness campaign were conducted on safe drinking water amongst the residents of Dhatkidih area. Old waterline of Madarsa, which was clubbed internally with bore well line by the Madarsa, was found to have contamination.
“We have disconnected the old waterline and a new water connection has been provided. Also, as a precautionary measures wash out has been done for the water line. Water supply was suspended in B-Block Line no. 7 & 8 and requested the households to clean their overhead tanks,” he informed.
Sharing company’s future plans, he said that JUSCO will intimate all defaulters. New connections will be provided to the defaulters in a phased manner.
Penalty and new connection charges will need to be borne by the customers.
On his part, Dr. Rajan Choudhry, general manager, medical services, Tata Steel spoke about the jaundice cases at Jamshedpur and detailed the precautions that need to be taken for prevention of the disease.
