Summary
Eight people, including an infant, have died in Indore due to suspected sewage-contaminated drinking water, with affected families blaming the local administration for negligence. The incident occurred in the Banganga area, where residents reported symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Initial investigations point to a possible mix of sewage and drinking water lines, a common issue in many Indian cities due to aging infrastructure and poor maintenance. This tragedy underscores critical challenges in urban governance, public health infrastructure, and the provision of safe drinking water, a fundamental right. It highlights the urgent need for robust water quality monitoring, infrastructure upgrades, and accountability mechanisms in municipal bodies to prevent such preventable deaths and ensure basic public services.
Full Analysis
Eight people, including an infant, have died in Indore due to suspected sewage-contaminated drinking water, with affected families blaming the local administration for negligence. The incident occurred in the Banganga area, where residents reported symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Initial investigations point to a possible mix of sewage and drinking water lines, a common issue in many Indian cities due to aging infrastructure and poor maintenance. This tragedy underscores critical challenges in urban governance, public health infrastructure, and the provision of safe drinking water, a fundamental right. It highlights the urgent need for robust water quality monitoring, infrastructure upgrades, and accountability mechanisms in municipal bodies to prevent such preventable deaths and ensure basic public services.
Practice MCQs
Question 1
Consider the following statements regarding the provision of safe drinking water in urban areas of India:
1. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act explicitly mandates urban local bodies to ensure universal access to safe drinking water.
2. The Supreme Court of India has interpreted the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 to include the 'Right to Safe Drinking Water'.
3. The Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) primarily focuses on providing tap water connections to all rural households by 2024.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. While the 74th Amendment Act devolves powers and responsibilities to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for urban planning, including water supply, it does not explicitly mandate universal access to safe drinking water in its constitutional text. Water supply is listed as a function in the Twelfth Schedule, but the explicit mandate for 'universal access' is a policy goal, not a direct constitutional mandate.
Statement 2 is correct. The Supreme Court of India, through various judgments (e.g., Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar, 1991), has held that the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 includes the right to a healthy environment, which encompasses the right to safe drinking water.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) was launched in 2021 to provide universal coverage of water supply to all households in urban areas through functional tap connections. The original Jal Jeevan Mission (rural) aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households by 2024.
Question 2
Which of the following factors are commonly associated with the challenges of ensuring safe drinking water in rapidly urbanizing Indian cities?
1. Aging and poorly maintained water supply infrastructure.
2. Inadequate separation of sewage and drinking water lines.
3. Rapid and unplanned urban expansion leading to informal settlements.
4. Limited financial autonomy and technical capacity of Urban Local Bodies.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: All four statements are correct and represent common challenges in ensuring safe drinking water in Indian cities. Aging infrastructure (1) leads to leakages and contamination. Inadequate separation of sewage and drinking water lines (2) is a direct cause of contamination, as seen in the Indore incident. Rapid and unplanned urban expansion (3) often results in informal settlements with poor access to planned infrastructure, increasing vulnerability. Limited financial autonomy and technical capacity of ULBs (4) hinder their ability to invest in, maintain, and upgrade essential services.
Question 3
In the context of urban water and sanitation management in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aims to ensure water supply to all urban households with universal coverage.
2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) focuses exclusively on solid waste management and does not cover liquid waste management.
3. The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) aims to improve the health status of the urban population, particularly the vulnerable, but does not directly address water quality.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. AMRUT focuses on providing basic services (e.g., water supply, sewerage, urban transport) to households and building amenities in cities to improve the quality of life for all, especially the poor and the disadvantaged. Ensuring water supply to all urban households with universal coverage is a key objective.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) Phase I focused on achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and solid waste management. Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) launched in 2021, aims to make cities 'Garbage Free' and 'Water Secure', explicitly including liquid waste management in all statutory towns.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While NUHM aims to improve the health status of the urban population, public health is intrinsically linked to environmental determinants like water quality and sanitation. NUHM's mandate includes addressing environmental health issues, which indirectly but significantly involves water quality to prevent water-borne diseases.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a typical challenge faced by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India in effectively delivering essential public services like water supply and sanitation?
- Inadequate financial resources and dependence on state grants.
- Shortage of skilled technical personnel and managerial capacity.
- Overlapping jurisdictions and lack of coordination among multiple agencies.
- Excessive autonomy and minimal oversight from state governments.
Explanation: Option D is incorrect. ULBs in India generally suffer from *inadequate* autonomy and *excessive* oversight/control from state governments, rather than excessive autonomy. This often stifles their ability to take independent decisions, raise resources, and implement projects efficiently. The other options (A, B, C) are well-documented and typical challenges faced by ULBs in India.
Previous Year Questions
PYQ 1 - UPSC Prelims 2024 2024
With reference to the functions of Municipalities under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, consider the following statements:
1. 'Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes' is an item listed in the Twelfth Schedule.
2. Municipalities are solely responsible for the implementation of national schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission within their jurisdiction.
3. The State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections to the Municipalities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. 'Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes' is indeed item 5 in the Twelfth Schedule, outlining the functional domain of Municipalities. Statement 2 is incorrect. While Municipalities play a crucial role in implementing such schemes, they are not 'solely' responsible; state governments, central government agencies, and other bodies are also involved in planning, funding, and oversight. Statement 3 is correct. Article 243ZA mandates the State Election Commission to superintend, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Municipalities.
PYQ 2 - UPSC Mains 2024 2024
Critically analyze the multifaceted challenges faced by urban local bodies in India in ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation. Suggest comprehensive measures to enhance urban governance and accountability mechanisms to prevent public health crises like water contamination incidents.
PYQ 3 - SSC CGL 2024 2024
The provision for 'Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes' falls under which schedule of the Indian Constitution?
- (a) Tenth Schedule
- (b) Eleventh Schedule
- (c) Twelfth Schedule
- (d) Seventh Schedule
Explanation: The Twelfth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, added by the 74th Amendment Act, lists 18 functional items within the purview of Municipalities. 'Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes' is one such item, highlighting the responsibility of urban local bodies in this regard.
PYQ 4 - SSC CHSL 2024 2024
Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution is often interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the 'Right to safe drinking water' as a fundamental right?
- (a) Article 14
- (b) Article 19
- (c) Article 21
- (d) Article 32
Explanation: Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the 'Right to Life and Personal Liberty'. The Supreme Court of India has broadly interpreted this article to include various rights essential for a dignified life, including the Right to safe drinking water, clean environment, and health.
PYQ 5 - SSC CGL 2024 2024
The Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship scheme of the Government of India, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by which year?
- (a) 2022
- (b) 2023
- (c) 2024
- (d) 2025
Explanation: The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural households by 2024. While the Indore incident is urban, the scheme reflects the national commitment to safe water.
PYQ 6 - IBPS PO 2024 2024
The recent incident of water contamination in Indore, leading to multiple deaths, primarily highlights failures in which of the following areas of urban governance?
I. Public health infrastructure
II. Water quality monitoring
III. Accountability mechanisms of municipal bodies
IV. Financial inclusion initiatives
- (a) I and II only
- (b) II and III only
- (c) I, II and III only
- (d) I, II, III and IV
Explanation: The Indore incident directly points to deficiencies in public health infrastructure (aging pipes, sewage mix), inadequate water quality monitoring, and a lack of accountability from the local administration. Financial inclusion initiatives (IV) are not directly related to the cause or immediate impact of water contamination.
PYQ 7 - SBI PO 2024 2024
Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of inadequate urban water and sanitation infrastructure, as exemplified by the Indore incident?
- (a) Outbreaks of waterborne diseases
- (b) Increased healthcare burden on affected families
- (c) Erosion of public trust in local administration
- (d) Decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the city
Explanation: Water contamination directly leads to waterborne diseases, increased healthcare costs, and a loss of public trust in governance. While severe and prolonged infrastructure issues could indirectly affect investor confidence, a single incident of water contamination is unlikely to be a direct and immediate cause for a decline in FDI in the city. FDI is influenced by broader economic policies, market stability, and ease of doing business.
PYQ 8 - IBPS Clerk 2024 2024
Considering the Indore incident, which of the following measures would be most effective in preventing future occurrences of sewage-contaminated drinking water in urban areas?
(A) Increasing property taxes to fund infrastructure projects.
(B) Implementing real-time digital monitoring of water quality and infrastructure integrity.
(C) Relocating affected populations to areas with better water supply.
(D) Imposing stricter penalties for water wastage by citizens.
Explanation: Implementing real-time digital monitoring of water quality and infrastructure integrity (B) would allow for early detection of contamination and leaks, enabling prompt corrective action. While funding (A) is important, it's a means to an end. Relocating populations (C) is not a sustainable or practical solution. Penalizing water wastage (D) addresses conservation, not contamination.
PYQ 9 - CDS 2024 2024
Which of the following statements correctly describes the 'Right to safe drinking water' in India?
1. It is explicitly mentioned as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
2. The Supreme Court has interpreted it as an integral part of the 'Right to Life'.
3. It is a Directive Principle of State Policy, but not a fundamental right.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the 'Right to safe drinking water' is not explicitly mentioned but is an implied right. Statement 2 is correct, as the Supreme Court has interpreted Article 21 (Right to Life) to include the right to safe drinking water. Statement 3 is incorrect because while it aligns with DPSP principles, its status as a fundamental right comes from judicial interpretation of Article 21.
PYQ 10 - CDS 2024 2024
Consider the following statements regarding urban local bodies in India:
1. They derive their powers and functions from the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.
2. 'Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management' is a functional item listed in the Twelfth Schedule.
3. The Mayor of a Municipal Corporation is directly elected by the people in all states.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; the 74th Amendment Act constitutionalized urban local bodies. Statement 2 is correct; 'Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management' is indeed item 6 in the Twelfth Schedule. Statement 3 is incorrect; the method of election of the Mayor (direct or indirect) varies from state to state, as per state legislation.
PYQ 11 - CDS 2024 2024
Which of the following is a key challenge for urban local bodies in India in effectively managing water supply and sanitation infrastructure?
(a) Lack of constitutional recognition for urban local bodies.
(b) Over-reliance on private sector funding for all projects.
(c) Inadequate financial devolution and technical capacity.
(d) Absence of any central government schemes for urban water management.
- (a) Lack of constitutional recognition for urban local bodies.
- (b) Over-reliance on private sector funding for all projects.
- (c) Inadequate financial devolution and technical capacity.
- (d) Absence of any central government schemes for urban water management.
Explanation: Statement (a) is incorrect; ULBs have constitutional recognition through the 74th Amendment. Statement (b) is incorrect; while PPPs exist, there isn't an 'over-reliance' on private funding for *all* projects. Statement (d) is incorrect; schemes like AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission address urban water management. Statement (c) correctly identifies a major challenge: ULBs often lack sufficient financial resources devolved from state governments and face a shortage of technical expertise and skilled personnel to manage complex infrastructure.