Kolkata Colony Without Water for 52 Days Amid Eviction Dispute

Residents of Jyoti Nagar colony in Kolkata's Cossipore have been without drinking water for 52 days, after five public taps serving the area stopped functioning on July 29. The colony, located on the bank of the Ganges next to the historic Cossipore Guns and Shells factory in ward number 6, is home to around 5,000 people, mostly from the Muslim community.

The water supply halted a day after Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) workers completed pipeline repairs at the colony's entrance in mid-July. Residents allege the connection was severed deliberately under the guise of repair work. "We saw the KMC labourers working on the pipeline at the entry area of our colony in mid-July. On July 28, their work was over and they left. The next morning, the water supply was stopped in our area," said Nazma Bibi, a resident. "We approached the KMC and the local MLA. But nothing has happened so far. We are probably facing this because of our religious identity. The people in the neighbouring colonies have proper water connections."

With no piped supply, residents have been forced to rely on the Ganges for bathing and washing. The river water, however, is turbid and unhygienic, and many children have developed skin infections requiring treatment.

Eviction dispute

Residents also link the water cut to a broader land dispute with the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority, which they believe is an attempt to evict them. The port authority claims historical ownership of the land, spanning over 3,000 square metres. In February this year, it moved a civil court to reclaim the land, and the court issued an eviction order the same month. Port officials served notice to residents in June, asking them to vacate within 15 days.

"Meanwhile, local BJP workers also started intimidating by calling us illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and forcing us to leave the colony as soon as possible," said another resident, Alamgir Biswas. On August 19, residents filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court seeking relief from the eviction order. The High Court issued an interim stay on the eviction, which remains in force. Yet the water supply has not been restored.

Political reactions

BJP MLA from Kashipur-Belgachhia constituency Ritesh Tiwari did not respond to requests for comment. Locals said he has ignored their complaints despite repeated appeals. "A group of women from the colony went to his office to speak to him regarding the issue in August. He said that the ones who didn't vote for the BJP will not get any facility. Is this how we should be treated?" said Pinki Bibi, one of the residents in the group.

Trinamool Congress MP Samirul Islam attributed the situation to the BJP's divisive politics. In a post on X, he said, "It has been nearly two months since their water supply connection was disconnected. Why? Because those people are from a minority community. The PM always uses the slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Is depriving people of drinking water an example of that? Why is the Bengal government not taking action on this?"

CPI(M) MP Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya held a protest rally condemning the government, stating that it is violating people's fundamental rights.

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) also issued a statement. "Access to clean water is not a privilege or favour extended to any particular community, locality or individual; it is a basic human necessity. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that citizens are not deprived of essential public services and that such issues are addressed promptly, effectively and humanely," said secretary Umar Awais.