Indore: A major water contamination crisis in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area has claimed at least nine lives, including a six-month-old infant, and left more than 2,800 residents sick with severe gastroenteritis after sewage leaked into the municipal drinking water supply. Authorities said over 270 people have been hospitalised, while many others are being treated at home.
The outbreak began in late December when residents in Bhagirathpura and nearby Neelkanth Colony reported that their tap water had turned yellow and emitted a foul odour. Despite repeated complaints, the issue reportedly went unaddressed until cases of vomiting and diarrhoea surged across the locality.
According to media reports, local residents have claimed that 14 individuals have so far lost their lives due to the health crisis, while Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava was reported as saying that he had information of 10 deaths. The health department has yet not confirmed this claim.
Investigations later revealed that a rupture in an ageing Narmada supply pipeline allowed sewage to mix with drinking water. Officials said the leak occurred beneath a toilet at a police check post, contaminating the main line feeding the area. A tender to replace the old pipeline had been issued in August, but work was delayed for months, residents alleged.
Indore — repeatedly awarded the title of India’s cleanest city — is now facing sharp criticism over what has been described as a catastrophic maintenance failure.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, calling the incident an example of “grave negligence”. He ordered the dismissal of a sub-engineer and suspended a zonal officer and assistant engineer pending inquiry. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate responsibility. Yadav also visited hospitals to meet affected families and described the situation as “emergency-like”.
Health officials said more than 8,500 residents were screened during door-to-door surveys, and hundreds showing mild symptoms received treatment at home. Laboratory testing by a city medical college confirmed contamination of drinking water due to the damaged pipeline.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought a detailed status report from the state government, while the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice over the loss of lives, terming the incident a serious human rights concern.
Residents say trust in the city’s water infrastructure has been badly shaken, even as emergency repairs and water-testing drives continue in the affected neighbourhoods.
