At a time when the State Government continues to claim that the Char Dham Yatra is safe for pilgrims, people in Joshimath, a major stop on the route to Badrinath, are facing problems due to muddy water being supplied to their homes. Without the supply of clean drinking water the locals are apprehensive about the risk posed by various water borne diseases that afflict people during the monsoon season. They complain that the department concerned is apathetic to the problems being faced due to the supply of muddy water.
The advent of the monsoons brings with it the problem of contaminated water supply every year. The natural sources of water used traditionally by the people in this region have dried out so the people have no choice but to depend on the muddy water being supplied. However, the authorities have maintained an apathetic attitude towards this problem and have not taken any action despite repeated complaints by the locals. Contaminated water is being supplied to many wards of Joshimath. The people living in Dado, Manoharbagh, Sinhghar and Gandhinagar among other localities are being supplied muddy water.
The locals aver that Jal Sansthan has not cleaned the water tanks due to which the water being supplied to people is contaminated. The drains are also being clogged by the mud. The locals are feeling apprehensive about the threat of diseases like jaundice, typhoid and other diseases rooted in contaminated water. There is a steady flow of people visiting the community health centre with problems resulting from drinking contaminated water but the department concerned appears apathetic to the need for ensuring supply of clean drinking water.The locals point out that supply of muddy water is a regular feature of the monsoon season here but in spite of this the department concerned has not ensured the execution of required cleaning works.