NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a sharp rise in typhoid cases linked to contaminated drinking water in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, calling the situation a serious public health concern. The Commission has issued a notice to the Gujarat Chief Secretary, seeking a comprehensive report within two weeks.
The NHRC has asked the state government to detail the current health condition of both admitted and outpatient typhoid patients, along with the measures taken and proposed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to an official statement, investigations have identified seven leakage points in the water pipeline network, allowing sewage to contaminate the drinking water supply. The State Health Department has confirmed 70 active typhoid cases, largely confined to a specific locality in Gandhinagar.
Taking note of the outbreak, the NHRC observed that the surge in cases has exposed serious deficiencies in the newly installed water supply system in the city. “As per the media report dated January 4, 2026, doctors have confirmed this to be a water-borne outbreak. Medical teams are focusing on early diagnosis and prompt treatment of affected patients,” the Commission stated.
With children accounting for a significant proportion of cases, a 30-bed paediatric ward has been set up at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital to manage the rising patient load. Most patients are presenting with high fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, doctors said.
In response to the outbreak, the local civic body has conducted a door-to-door survey covering over 1.58 lakh residents and distributed chlorine tablets and oral rehydration salts (ORS). Officials have also claimed that the identified leakages in the water supply network have since been repaired.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level review meeting on Tuesday to assess the situation. During the meeting, Gandhinagar Municipal Commissioner J. N. Vaghela informed the Chief Minister that new cases have begun to decline, following intensive containment and corrective measures taken by civic authorities.
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