Jaundice hits residents of Motibagh Railway Colony

Nagpur: Around 20 people living in railway quarters in Motibagh have been hit by jaundice since a couple of days due to contaminated drinking water. Topping the sick list are two residents who have tested positive for dengue.
The plight of affected residents came to light only on Sunday after they started vomiting coupled with high fever.
On Monday, TOI was informed about the state of 20 odd residents who are undergoing treatment for vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The condition of one of the residents has worsened. Pratik Harde, a third year student of civil engineering, contracted jaundice and tested positive for dengue.
Rajesh Ramteke, whose teenaged son Bhavik was hit by jaundice, said that apart from getting contaminated water, the mosquito menace had added to their woes.
Ramteke’s neighbours, the Chintales, too, have been affected by water borne diseases. Two of the family members, Sai Kumar and Sagar are suffering from jaundice.
Even their relative, Kankam Chintale, who also resides in railway colony, is hit by jaundice.
Residents say the water pipeline network is very old and damaged at many places.
Something similar happened in the past. “Contaminated drinking water due to leakage in the pipelines is the reason for the resurgence of waterborne diseases,” said residents.
They alleged that despite the serious situation, the railways has failed to provide safe drinking water. The condition of most quarters in Motibagh colony has deteriorated over the years due to lack of maintenance. “Most houses have roofs that leak because the waterproofing is missing,” said residents.
In many places, the overflowing waste water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Sanitary workers rarely turn up to clear the garbage and clean the drains. “Despite repeated representations to the concerned authorities, nothing concrete has emerged,” alleged residents.
On the pitiable condition of railway quarters, especially the ones where class III and IV employees reside, union leader Pitambar Laxminarayan said that hundreds of memorandums were submitted to the railway authorities regarding the unhygienic conditions prevailing in several colonies, but all their cries have fallen on deaf ears.
In defence, junior engineer from SECR’s maintenance department, Narendra Bagade, said, “We get water from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, which we store in two overhead tanks. Before supplying to residents, we ensure that the water is regularly tested and the tanks are cleaned. We will examine the cause of the resurgence of the waterborne disease.”