The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court has issued a stern statement addressing the persistent issue of inadequate drinking water supply across numerous areas in Lucknow. Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the court urged the Municipal Corporation to take decisive action.

In the course of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing, it was brought to the court's attention that essential drinking water services are lacking in various localities, including Sarai Hasanganj, Barauri, Baraulia, Akbar Nagar, Hardasi Kheda, Duda Colony, Damdan Ka Purva, Chinhat, and Matiyari within the city.

In response to the pressing issue of inadequate drinking water supply, the court has directed the Municipal Corporation to conduct a thorough survey of the affected areas and ensure the prompt provision of clean drinking water. Furthermore, the court has instructed the Corporation to take the necessary steps to address any challenges hindering this provision. Setting the next hearing for May 29, the court has additionally required the Municipal Corporation to submit an affidavit outlining its actions.

This order was issued by the division bench comprising Justice Rajan Rai and Justice Omprakash Shukla during the hearing on the 2016 PIL filed by Utkarsh Seva Sansthan.

During the hearing, the advocate appearing on behalf of the Jal Nigam told the court that it is the responsibility of the Jal Nigam Department to provide clean water. It was also brought to the notice of the court that a meeting had been held between Jal Nigam and State Government officials to solve the said problem, but no concrete result was achieved.

On behalf of the petitioner, advocate Motilal Yadav argued that the present petition was filed in the year 2016 itself, but even today the problem of drinking water remains the same. On this, the court took a strict stance and said that the Municipal Corporation has not even filed a counter affidavit till date. This kind of indifference of the Municipal Corporation cannot be appreciated.