Ahmedabad, June 4 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah, on Thursday instructed civic and health authorities to take immediate corrective action after around 50 residents were treated for diarrhoea and vomiting in Ahmedabad’s Gota ward, following suspected contamination of the drinking water supply linked to a leakage in water and drainage lines.

The directive came after cases were reported across nine residential societies near Jantanagar Cross Road in the Sola area of Gota ward, where civic officials said a technical fault during repair work led to the mixing of drainage and drinking water lines.

The situation was reviewed with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior officials of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), who were briefed on the containment and restoration measures underway.

According to civic authorities, the affected residents developed symptoms on Tuesday and Wednesday and were treated promptly after medical teams were deployed to the locality.

AMC officials said health and engineering teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information and initiated disease control measures.

An AMC official said: “Upon receiving information about the diarrhoea and vomiting cases in Akanksha Flat, Navratna Flat and Tridev Society near Sattadhar Bridge in Sola area of Gota Ward, a team of medical and paramedical staff from Corporation’s Health Department as well as the staff from the Engineering Department immediately reached the spot and immediately carried out disease prevention activities.”

Officials further stated that the disruption occurred during repair work on a drainage line junction, which resulted in the contaminated water entering the surrounding supply network.

“The repair work for the breakdown in the drainage line at a junction was done, but during the same time, mixed water was supplied to the surrounding areas. Accordingly, cleaning work has been started on the water tanks of the affected societies,” they said.

Around 40 health department teams have been deployed to conduct door-to-door surveys across all affected societies, while chlorine tablets have been distributed to residents as a preventive measure against further infection.

Corporation’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Bhavin Solanki, told IANS that 50 patients had been given OPD-based treatment through a medical van at Akanksha Apartment and confirmed that all were stable.

“Yesterday, three were discharged and more are expected to be discharged today,” he said, noting that the affected water supply had reached approximately 326 households.

Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot visited the affected societies to assess the situation and interact with residents.

Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said immediate medical intervention was ensured following the reports.

Civic officials added that technical supervisors, assistant engineers and city engineers have been tasked with inspecting underground storage systems across the affected residential complexes as part of ongoing corrective and preventive measures.

The situation remains under observation as restoration work continues in the affected area.

–IANS

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