Parliament Question: Sewage contamination in tap water and failures in water infrastructure in Gandhinagar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3452 ANSWERED ON 23/03/2026 SEWAGE CONTAMINATION IN TAP WATER AND FAILURES IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN GANDHINAGAR 3452. DR. SYED NASEER HUSSAIN: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that sewage has mixed with drinking water supplied through newly laid pipelines in Gandhinagar, allegedly due to technical and engineering flaws in pipeline laying and pressure systems under urban water projects; and (b) the reasons for the failure of safeguards, water quality monitoring, and infrastructure integrity in a city designated as a Smart City and promoted for continuous (24×7) water supply, including details of any lapses in planning, oversight, quality checks, and contractor performance? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) As per information received from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Gujarat Urban Development Mission has informed that isolated complaints regarding suspected water contamination were received in certain localized areas under the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. Technical investigation revealed that the issue was due to temporary pressure fluctuations, minor leakages, or third-party disturbances, and not due to any systemic failure of newly laid pipelines. Additionally, the Municipal Corporation has taken necessary actions, and corrective measures were immediately undertaken. Continuous monitoring confirms that the supplied drinking water meets the prescribed quality standards. (b) Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation further states that there was no overall failure in safeguards, water quality monitoring, or infrastructure. The reported incidents were limited to a few locations and were caused by temporary pressure changes, minor leakages, or third- party disturbances, and not due to planning or quality check lapses. The 24×7 water supply system is regularly monitored, and contractors are supervised as per rules. Necessary corrective measures were taken immediately to ensure safe drinking water supply by Municipal Corporation. Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes/projects lies with State Government. *****