Punekars Accuse PMC Of Failing To Provide Safe Water – Is Civic Body To Blame?

As Pune is seeing an unprecedented outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder linked with contaminated water and food, residents in the affected and nearby areas are blaming the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for failing to provide access to safe water to the residents.

In addition to residents, Pune AAP has slammed the civic body, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar has appealed for better action. At least 24 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder, have been detected in Pune.

As per the information, most cases are from areas like Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, Kirkatwadi, and surrounding areas, and the patients are admitted to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Kashibai Navle Hospital, Poona Hospital, Bharti Hospital, Ankura Hospital, and Sahyadri Hospital.

No safe water access to residents

The spread has been linked to contaminated water or food. Thus, to trace the source of the infections, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is inspecting the water and food in the areas that reported patients. It should be noted that several areas near Sinhagad Road, like Dhayari, Kirkatwadi, and Khadakwasla, still don’t get sufficient water despite the area merging with PMC two years ago. Till today, these areas do not receive treated water from PMC and instead receive water from the gram panchayat.

The outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune has spread fear among the people, and now these residents are criticizing and blaming the civic body for the outbreak.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, “GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) has been reported in Pune city and some surrounding areas, especially in the newly incorporated villages of Pune Municipal Corporation on Sinhagad Road. Considering the severity of this rare disease and the increased fear among the citizens, it is a matter of concern. Experts are predicting that the disease may spread through contaminated water. Therefore, the Pune Municipal Administration and the state government should take appropriate precautions to control this situation. It is expected that they will take a proactive role in resolving this potential crisis through proper planning and with utmost care,” said Sharad Pawar.

Kirdat slams PMC

Meanwhile, AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said, “The spread of GBS is similar to Covid-19 infection. In fact, this GBS infection is more severe, and the treatment is also very expensive. During the pandemic, we saw how our entire health infrastructure collapsed, people were not getting beds and ventilators, but the government didn’t take their lessons seriously, and a similar situation might arise this time too.”

“The newly merged villages still lack basic amenities like clean water, and today this has led to the outbreak of GBS. Areas like Sinhgad Road still get untreated water from the gram panchayat, and mostly people are dependent on tanker water supply. At the domestic level, people have installed water purifiers at home, but there is no system. PMC has put the entire responsibility of water supply on the builders. People are left with no choice, as there is also a builder lobby. As a temporary measure, PMC will hold the builder accountable, but there should be a system for the long run,” he added.

Smitarani Singh (42), a resident of Warje, said, “My daughter informed me about this new outbreak, and she asked me to use boiled drinking water. I’m always concerned about my family’s health, and since I have got to know about this disease, I’m worried and perplexed. We are paying our taxes on time, we have even installed water purifiers, but still, if our health is at stake, what is the point? I don’t feel safe. It’s not just about crimes, but also now seeing the water and the food, nothing around us is safe. Who do we hold accountable? PMC will simply deny and put the blame on the builder, the builder will accuse the administration, and in the entire blame game, only we, the common people, suffer.”

When asked about the situation, a PMC official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The areas including Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, DSK, and Khadakwasla receive water from the old water pipeline networks by the gram panchayat. The raw water is provided through wells without any treatment except chlorination in the well.”

The Free Press Journal tried contacting the PMC water supply department head, Nandkumar Jagtap, but couldn’t get a response.