AHMEDABAD: Gandhinagar is facing a surge in typhoid cases linked to contaminated drinking water, exposing serious flaws in the city’s newly laid water supply system. Health officials have confirmed 70 active cases, concentrated in Sectors 24, 26, 28 and Adiwada. At least seven leaks have been identified in the pipeline network, allowing sewage to mix with the drinking water supply.The Gandhinagar Civil Hospital has also opened a 30-bed paediatric ward as a precaution to handle the influx of children presenting with high fever and gastrointestinal symptoms. Doctors report a steady stream of patients. “This is a water-borne outbreak, and our priority is early detection and treatment,” a senior hospital official said. Outpatient checks have been intensified, and officials insist medicines remain in adequate supply.

The crisis comes despite a Rs 257-crore investment in a 24/7 water supply project. Engineering officials now concede that new pipelines were laid close to sewer lines. “When high-pressure water began flowing, weak pipes developed leaks,” a senior Roads and Buildings department official explained. A district collectorate officer added, “Once there is leakage and the sewer line is nearby, contamination becomes inevitable. Engineering teams have begun super-chlorination.”Municipal commissioner J N Vaghela said leakages are being plugged and fresh water samples show improvement. “We are hopeful of containing the outbreak in a day or two with super-chlorination,” he said, adding that teams remain in constant contact with families. District collector Mehul Dave said deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi visited patients and guided teams. Hospital sources said about 70 patients are under treatment, none in serious condition.Authorities have deployed 40 surveillance teams to conduct door-to-door visits, distribute chlorine tablets, and advise residents to boil water, avoid outside food, and maintain hygiene. Yet the problem is compounded by uncoordinated digging — cable companies and contractors often damage pipelines by ignoring engineering maps. A Roads and Buildings department official admitted that “accidental cuts have caused a few leak situations.“