Hyderabad: Ambulances are moving in and out of Bholakpur area in the heart of Hyderabad. At least nine people have died and over 200 taken ill after drinking water here got contaminated.
"Drainage and sewerage water pipes are together. So the water is coming mixed," says one resident.
An inquiry report will establish whether 100-year-old drinking water supply pipes had got damaged and contaminated with sewerage water. They are now being replaced. Fingers are also being pointed at leather-industry units that have been thriving in the area.
Says Mohd Ali, general secretary of local tanners' association: "There are skin cleaning units that use only salt nor chemicals. There are no tanneries any more. The sewerage is causing contamination but they are blaming tanneries.''
The Institute of Preventive Medicine that analysed water samples in different parts of the city said in the last four months, over 50 per cent of the over 1000 samples from different areas were found to contain high content of harmful bacteria and chemicals. But no action was reportedly taken.