50 New Town hsg residents down with typhoid, hepatitis
Times of India | 9 October 2024
Kolkata: Around 50 residents of Shrachi Greenwood Nest, a joint venture housing complex developed by Shrachi Group and the West Bengal Housing Board in New Town, have been suffering from typhoid and Hepatitis A over the last one month. Several have been hospitalized over the last few weeks while many more are still suffering. At least six are now admitted at two-three private hospitals on EM Bypass and in New Town.
Contamination of water could be the reason, suspect residents and doctors.
Water from the Kestopur canal, adjacent to the complex, could be infiltrating drinking water pipes at the complex, they suspect. “My daughter had severe symptoms and had been suffering for a week before she was admitted to the Bhagirathi Neotia Woman & Child Care Centre, New Town. She has been diagnosed with typhoid. At least 50 families in our complex have members suffering from either Hepatitis A or typhoid. This can’t be a coincidence and there must be some contamination in the water,” said Suman Kalyan Maity, a resident. His neighbour Subrata Pal’s wife has been admitted to a hospital as well.
The complex has 300 flats across seven towers. Residents got occupation last year, but many alleged that the facilities promised did not match with those on offer. “The housing board has washed its hands of the project. The promoters are not responding to our pleas. The quality of water has been suspect from the very beginning since there had been cases of diarrhoea since last year. Now, the water quality has deteriorated further and things have got very serious,” said a resident.
New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) officials said that they would look into the matter. “It needs to be seen whether the housing complex falls within the New Town project area or whether it in the panchayat area. If not in the New Town project area, the housing will not be receiving filtered water from the New Town treatment plant. This has to be checked and if necessary, measures will be taken,” said a NKDA official.