Residents of Jyotinagar Colony in Kashipur, north Kolkata, say drinking water has been cut off for about a month, forcing around 3,500 people to rely on polluted Ganges water or purchased municipal tanker water. The colony, under Kolkata Municipal Corporation Ward 6, underwent pipeline repairs from July 27 to 29. Residents say taps on five streets stopped working at 11:30 pm on July 29, after water had continued until that date.

Residents allege the disruption is political retaliation linked to voting and direct their accusations at local BJP legislator Ritesh Tiwari. They also say nearby Hindu-majority colonies receive regular water supplies. The source reports that the predominantly Muslim colony includes some Hindu families, with about 500 families living there for nearly six decades. A long-term resident said poor Hindu and Muslim residents had lived together through hardship without facing such a crisis before.

Residents report health and safety risks from using river water, including children slipping at the ghat and illnesses such as fever, headaches and skin problems. They say a KMC water tanker costs 700 rupees and is insufficient for the population. The West Bengal Slum Development Association says it has submitted deputations to authorities and informed the Human Rights Commission. A court has reportedly stayed an eviction effort after the association sought legal relief.