Kolkata, 4 June (H.S.) —A severe water crisis has gripped the Madhyamgram municipality area in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district for the past eight days, with residents expressing growing frustration over the local administration’s inability to restore regular supply.

Locals allege that the area’s only water pump has been malfunctioning for days, and despite repeated repair efforts by the municipality, the problem remains unresolved. The ongoing heatwave has only worsened the situation, severely disrupting daily life and sanitation in the region.

Residents say that water tankers sent by the municipality are insufficient to meet the demand. Water supply from these tankers reportedly lasts only two to three minutes—far too short a time to cater to hundreds of families. Mohammed Shahnur Biswas, a resident of the Patuli Badamtala locality, noted that more than 500 families live in the area, yet only three tankers are dispatched daily. As a result, many people are now forced to bathe, wash clothes, and even clean utensils using pond water—raising serious concerns about public hygiene and health.

Frustrated by the prolonged crisis, residents organized a protest demanding an immediate and sustainable solution. They declared that their agitation would continue until clean drinking water is delivered to every household.

Given the rising tensions, police from Madhyamgram police station reached the area to maintain law and order.

In response, the municipal authorities confirmed that the crisis stemmed from a technical failure of the main water pump and assured that repair work was underway on a war footing. However, residents argue that the administration failed to prepare any contingency plan for such a densely populated area, leading to avoidable hardship.

Protesters have now issued an ultimatum: if proper drinking water is not supplied to all homes by Wednesday night, they will intensify their agitation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh