Expressing concern over the continuing lack of access to safe drinking water in parts of Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court observed that it is unfortunate that citizens still have to approach courts for water even after 75 years of Independence.
Hearing a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) related to conditions in the tribal-dominated Melghat region of Amravati district, a division bench emphasised that access to clean and potable water is a fundamental right under the Constitution and directed the Maharashtra government to submit an immediately implementable plan to ensure water supply to affected residents.
The petitions, filed by activists Dr Rajendra Burma and Bandu Sampatrao Sane, highlighted chronic malnutrition, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, staff shortages, poor public services and rising child mortality in the region.
The court’s remarks have renewed focus on the challenges faced by vulnerable tribal communities, while placing responsibility on the state administration to provide urgent and sustainable solutions.
Court Demands Urgent Action
During the hearing, the Bombay High Court expressed dissatisfaction over the persistent hardship faced by residents of Melghat, a region that has long been associated with malnutrition, poverty and inadequate access to basic amenities.
The bench reportedly remarked that it was deeply concerning that people were still compelled to seek judicial intervention for something as essential as drinking water. Stressing that access to safe water is intrinsically linked to the right to life and human dignity, the court asked the Maharashtra government to present a concrete and immediately executable scheme instead of relying solely on long-term assurances.
The observations came in response to submissions made by the petitioners, who argued that the lack of clean drinking water continues to aggravate health challenges in the region. According to the PILs, several villages continue to struggle with unreliable water sources, forcing residents to depend on distant or unsafe supplies.
The activists also pointed to systemic issues including shortages of healthcare personnel, inadequate infrastructure in government facilities and gaps in welfare delivery. While the state government is expected to submit its response and proposed action plan before the court, the judiciary’s intervention has brought fresh urgency to a problem that local communities and social workers say has persisted for decades.
The court’s remarks are particularly significant because they frame access to water not merely as a developmental issue but as a constitutional obligation. Indian courts have repeatedly held that Article 21, which guarantees the right to life, encompasses access to clean drinking water. By reiterating this principle, the Bombay High Court underscored that ensuring potable water is not a matter of policy discretion but a legal and moral responsibility of the state.
Melghat’s Long-Standing Struggles
Located in the Satpura ranges of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, Melghat has often been at the centre of debates surrounding tribal welfare and rural development. Despite multiple government schemes and interventions over the years, activists and public health experts have repeatedly flagged persistent gaps in implementation.
The PILs before the High Court argue that these shortcomings have had serious consequences, particularly for children and vulnerable families.
The petitions draw attention to chronic malnutrition, a problem that has periodically made headlines from the region over the past several decades. Petitioners claim that inadequate healthcare facilities, staffing shortages and poor infrastructure continue to hinder effective service delivery.
Rising child mortality and recurring health concerns have further amplified calls for urgent intervention. According to activists, access to safe drinking water remains one of the most critical issues because it directly affects health outcomes, nutrition levels and disease prevention.
Experts have long highlighted the interconnected nature of water security and public health. In remote tribal regions such as Melghat, where healthcare facilities may be located far from villages and transportation infrastructure remains limited, contaminated or insufficient water supplies can worsen existing vulnerabilities.
Women and children often bear the burden of collecting water from distant sources, affecting education, livelihoods and overall quality of life. The case has also revived broader discussions about water security across Maharashtra.
While urban centres frequently receive significant infrastructure investment, several rural and tribal districts continue to face periodic shortages due to erratic rainfall, declining groundwater levels, inadequate storage facilities and uneven distribution systems.
Climate change has further complicated the challenge, with changing weather patterns placing additional stress on already fragile water resources. Experts increasingly advocate integrated solutions that combine water conservation, watershed development, rainwater harvesting, infrastructure upgrades and community participation to ensure long-term sustainability.
As the matter progresses, attention will now turn to the state’s proposed response and whether it can translate judicial observations into tangible improvements on the ground. For many residents of Melghat, the case represents more than a legal proceeding it is part of a broader struggle for dignity, health and equal access to essential services guaranteed under the Constitution.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Bombay High Court’s observations are a powerful reminder that access to clean drinking water is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. While courts can hold authorities accountable and accelerate action, lasting solutions require sustained political will, effective governance and community-centred planning.
The situation in Melghat highlights how water scarcity is often intertwined with larger issues such as malnutrition, healthcare access and social inequality, disproportionately affecting already marginalised communities. Addressing these challenges demands not only infrastructure investment but also empathy, transparency and a commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left behind because of where they live.
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