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Urgent steps needed to address potable water crisis in Melghat: HC
The Bombay High Court directed the state government to take emergent steps to ensure potable water supply across Melghat ahead of the monsoon, after a 2025 tragedy where contaminated water killed 13 people. The hearing identified ongoing water and healthcare access challenges and established a sequence of orders and hearings through April 2026.
Why It Matters
The case underscores the government's duty to provide safe drinking water and healthcare in tribal regions and showcases judicial oversight of long-standing PILs and compliance efforts.
Timeline
5 Events
April 29, 2026: matter scheduled for further hearing
April 23, 2026
The court posted the matter for further hearing on April 29.
April 23, 2026 directive to ensure potable water
April 23, 2026
The Bombay High Court directed the state government to initiate emergent steps to ensure potable water is supplied across Melghat ahead of the monsoon and to prevent such deaths from recurring in the current year.
April 15, 2026 hearing
April 15, 2026
During PIL proceedings on infant and maternal deaths, the division bench warned that lapses could worsen with the approaching monsoon. The court referenced the 2025 Melghat deaths, noted issues with wells and fuel supply to mobile health Vans, and relied on status reports of compliances and proposed district hospitals. It urged the state to treat the reports as a blueprint for addressing tribal-area problems and to prepare a rapid implementation plan, with a hearing set for April 29.
January 19, 2026: court orders compilation and roadmap
January 19, 2026
The court directed the state government to submit a detailed compilation of court orders since the 1990s, along with details of compliance measures taken, and to submit a future roadmap clarifying that the election code of conduct could not be cited as an impediment.
2025 Melghat water-poisoning deaths
2025
In Dharni tehsil of Melghat, 13 people died and 86 were hospitalised ahead of the monsoon in 2025 after drinking contaminated water. The issue was linked to wells drying up and delays in diesel supply to mobile health vans due to unpaid fuel pump operators.