Indore, widely known as India’s cleanest city, is facing a serious public health crisis. A government investigation has confirmed that contaminated drinking water caused multiple deaths and widespread illness in the Bhagirathpura area. The findings have triggered public anger and raised sharp questions about civic responsibility and administrative failure.
Lab Report Confirms Cause that is Contaminated Drinking Water
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Madhav Hasani confirmed that laboratory tests established the cause of the tragedy. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College laboratory examined water samples collected from Bhagirathpura. The report clearly stated that polluted drinking water caused people to fall ill and lose their lives.
Dr. Hasani said that leakage in the water pipeline allowed contamination to enter the supply line. He added that engineers and municipal officials must identify the exact location and severity of the leakage.
Sewage Contamination Admitted and Contaminated Drinking Water
Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya also admitted that sewage water mixed with the drinking water supply. He said this contamination severely worsened the situation in Bhagirathpura. According to him, a leakage near a local police outpost could be the main source of the problem.
Residents, however, say they warned authorities about dirty and foul-smelling water for nearly two years. Despite repeated complaints, officials allegedly failed to take corrective action.
Rising Death Toll and Illness
Officials have confirmed that at least 14 people died after consuming contaminated water in Bhagirathpura. Nearly 1,400 residents fell sick due to infections linked to polluted water. Many suffered from severe stomach infections, dehydration, and vomiting.
Hospitals in Indore witnessed a sudden influx of patients from the area. Doctors had to admit several patients for emergency treatment as their condition worsened rapidly.
Human Rights Commission Intervenes
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of media reports related to the incident. The Commission said that if the reports are accurate, the case amounts to a serious violation of human rights.
The NHRC observed that authorities allegedly ignored complaints about contaminated water. It noted that officials failed to stop the supply even after residents raised alarms. The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh. It has asked the state government to submit a detailed report within two weeks.
Compensation Sparks Anger
Earlier in the day, Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited Bhagirathpura to meet affected families. The government planned to distribute ₹2 lakh compensation cheques to families of seven deceased victims.
Several families refused to accept the cheques. They expressed strong anger and said money could not compensate for lost lives. Many residents accused the administration of reacting only after deaths occurred.
Public Protest and Political Fallout
Vijayvargiya reached the area riding a scooter. His visit triggered protests from local women and residents. They openly expressed frustration over years of neglect.
A video of the confrontation surfaced on social media. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari shared the clip on X (formerly Twitter). In the video, a woman says that contaminated water has flowed into homes for two years. She adds that residents repeatedly informed the BJP councillor, but no one resolved the issue.
Patwari criticized the minister in his post. He wrote that the entire neighborhood is sick, yet the minister ignored a woman’s plea and moved ahead without listening.
Questions on Urban Governance
The Bhagirathpura tragedy has damaged Indore’s image as a model city. It has exposed serious gaps in water supply management, monitoring, and accountability.
Residents now demand strict action against responsible officials, permanent pipeline repairs, and safe drinking water. As investigations continue, the incident stands as a warning that neglecting basic civic services can turn fatal.
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