Survey backs fears, don't drink from water trolleys

If you live in east Delhi, be careful the next time you walk up to a water trolley selling chilled water to quench your thirst. A bulk of these trolleys appeared to be selling unsafe water at Rs 2 per glass in the areas under the East Corporation.

A survey has shown that 17 out of the 30 water cooling plants under the East Delhi Municipal Corporation are illegal. The civic agency has initiated a drive to check the number of such units functional under its areas.

The water cooling plants provide chilled water to these trolleys. The Food Safety and Hygiene Department has seized 46 water trolleys so far this year. There are a total of 508 trolleys — 226 in Shahdara North Zone and 282 in Shahdara South Zone.

The issue was raised in the Standing Committee meeting of East Corporation on Thursday. Opposition councillors said almost every water trolley is selling unhygienic water.

“There are more water cooling plants functional in the areas under the East Corporation. The civic agency should look into the matter as it concerns the health of the general public,” said Savita Sharma, councillor Shahdara North Zone. “No regular inspections are being carried out at these units to check the quality of water,” she added. 

According to a report, since May 2012 a total of 1,474 water samples have been taken from these plants, and in eight samples the content of chlorine was found to be low or nil. Congress’ councillors said that the report presented in the Standing Committee meeting is misleading.

Commissioner of East Corporation, S Kumarswamy, ordered a detailed survey to identify the number of water cooling units under the civic agency.

“A survey will be conducted to find out the exact number of water cooling plants operational under the East Corporation areas. The authenticity of the report tabled in the standing committee meeting will automatically be verified then,” Kumarswamy said.

Since 2012, as many as 24 water cooling plants have been sealed, 17 plants have been fined and six have been issued show cause notice, said the report.

While Shahdara South Zone has two illegal plants, as many as 15 illegal plants are running in Shahdara North Zone.

There are two licensed ice selling shops in the areas under the East Corporation. Till now 32,880 kilo of illegally manufactured ice has been destroyed by the Food Safety and Hygiene Department.