Had the British Court asked Indian authorities to assure them of decent facilities at the Sabarmati Central Jail, Ahmedabad, they would have certainly raised concern on the poor water supply situation in the jail.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation believes that water supply inside the jail cannot be made available because the prison and the nearby area fall under prohibited area.
Recently, the superintendent of the jail VH Dindor wrote to Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner to make the water supply available in the jail as water resources within the jail are limited. The letter also mentioned that some 3,000 inmates, 200 children of women prisoners and family members of staff were facing the brunt of the short supply of water.
Sources informed: "The situation of prisoners is more pathetic as they have to complete all their routine work before afternoon. They do not get a single drop of water after that. Their toilets stink and they live in unhygienic condition as the toilets cannot be cleaned before the next day."
"The local civic body never gave water supply to jail, claiming it to be a prohibited area. But if a water tanker can come inside the jail from a private supplier, why can the civic body not supply the same. There are eight borewells inside the jail, which are 200 years old. Again, only four of them are in working condition," added the source.
The sources also said that the British had constructed the borewells as per the capacity of inmates during their time. Number of prisoners have increased manifold now, and no other arrangement has been made, sources added.
The superintendent said: "The AMC supplies water to Ranip Police Line, residences of policemen in nearby area. If the same water network is extended to the jail, we can get more water. We have borewells, but cannot get water when there is no power supply"
The correspondence between central jail and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has been running for 3-4 years now, but to no avail.
Ironically, SIM cards and other articles are reportedly recovered from barracks, many a the times during searches.
DNA tried to contact AMC commissioner Vijay Nehra on issue but he did not respond.
ISSUE AT HAND
- There are 8 borewells inside the jail, which are 200 years old. Only four are in working condition.
- Sources said that the British had constructed the borewells as per the capacity of inmates then.
- Officials say if water tanker can come inside the jail from a private supplier, why can AMC not supply the same.
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