The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of 14 complaints pertaining to prolonged drinking water crisis in Faridabad’s Sainik Colony in Sector-49, seeking reports from the Faridabad Municipal Corporation and the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA).
The complaints made by Faridabad residents before chairperson of the commission, justice (retd) Lalit Batra, alleged that residents of J&K blocks, of Sainik Colony in sector-49, have been facing acute drinking water shortage for nearly 16 days. “Several households have not been receiving regular potable water supply and the area’s tube well has remained non-functional for a considerable period. Water from the Ranney well was supplied only once or twice during the previous month and the water tankers deployed by the authorities are grossly inadequate to meet the local demand,” the complaint said.
The complainants added that contradictory information is being provided by the officials regarding the disruption in water supply and that even the contact details of the concerned officer displayed on the official website are incorrect, causing considerable hardship to the residents.
In its August 7 order, the HHRC said that if allegations are found to be true, the matter would not merely reflect an administrative lapse but would raise serious concerns relating to the fundamental human rights of the affected residents, including their rights to life, health and dignity. The commission further said that access to safe and adequate drinking water is one of the basic necessities of human existence and forms an integral part of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
{{/usCountry}}In its August 7 order, the HHRC said that if allegations are found to be true, the matter would not merely reflect an administrative lapse but would raise serious concerns relating to the fundamental human rights of the affected residents, including their rights to life, health and dignity. The commission further said that access to safe and adequate drinking water is one of the basic necessities of human existence and forms an integral part of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
{{/usCountry}}Referring to Supreme Court (SC) judgments, the commission reiterated that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right and that ensuring an adequate supply of potable water is a constitutional obligation of the state. The commission also referred to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution of 2010, which recognises access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a basic human right.
Chairperson Batra further referred to the landmark judgments in AP Pollution Control Board v/s MV Nayudu and Narmada Bachao Andolan v/s Union of India, wherein the Supreme Court (SC) held that safe drinking water is a basic necessity for human survival and an integral component of the right to life and human dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. The apex court had also emphasised that providing clean drinking water is a constitutional responsibility of the state and that a balance must be maintained between environmental protection and sustainable development.
The commission, prima facie, observed that the complaints disclose serious issues relating to the apparent failure of the public water supply system, the non-functional tube well, inadequate alternative arrangements, lack of coordination among the concerned authorities and the failure to effectively address repeated grievances of the residents, warranting a detailed inquiry.
“Accordingly, HHRC chairperson has issued notices to the commissioner, MC, Faridabad, and the chief executive officer, FMDA, directing them to submit detailed reports on status of water supply in the affected areas of Sainik Colony, Sector 49, Faridabad, reasons for the alleged disruption of water supply, operational status of the tube well and booster station, operational status of Ranney well water supply, adequacy of alternative water supply arrangements,’’ assistant registrar, HHRC, Puneet Arora said in a statement.
The commission has also asked the authorities about the action taken on the complaints and the corrective measures undertaken to restore regular water supply and the steps proposed to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Arora said the commission has directed the concerned authorities to submit detailed reports at least a week prior to the next date of hearing on September 2, 2026.