Indore water contamination: Survey begins, top officials removed amid NGO, political backlash

As authorities intensified containment measures following deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, a non-governmental organisation on Saturday alleged that the tragedy was the result of long-standing systemic failures flagged in a 2019 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that were allegedly ignored by officials.

Amulya Nidhi, convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan Madhya Pradesh, said in a press release that the deaths were the outcome of “long-known systemic weaknesses.” According to the NGO, the CAG report had made “serious revelations” regarding irregularities in the drinking water supply system in Indore, often referred to as the country’s cleanest city.

Meanwhile, civic authorities on Saturday launched a ‘ring survey’ in Bhagirathpura to contain the diarrhoeal outbreak caused by contaminated water through early identification and treatment of patients. Civic teams visited 5,079 houses during the day and screened 25,395 people. Sixty-five individuals with mild symptoms were identified and provided primary treatment, a health department official said.

The objective of the ring survey is to study people living around affected patients to understand the source, nature and spread of the disease, the official added.

The outbreak has triggered administrative action at the highest level. On Friday (Jan 2), the Madhya Pradesh government removed Indore municipal commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav and suspended additional municipal commissioner Rohit Sissoniya and in-charge superintendent engineer of the Public Health Engineering department Sanjeev Shrivastava.

In a post on X after a review meeting, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said his government would not tolerate any laxity that might have led to the tragedy and that strict action was being taken.

Earlier on Friday, the BJP government told the High Court that the health crisis was under control due to emergency measures and that there was “no abnormal increase in fresh cases.” The submission came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ritesh Inani.

The government also submitted a 40-page status report to the High Court, stating that the outbreak of diarrhoeal illness caused by contaminated water supply was under effective control, with continuous minute-to-minute monitoring in place to prevent resurgence.

According to the report, 294 patients were admitted across various facilities since the outbreak began. Of these, 93 patients were treated and discharged. Of the remaining 201 patients, 32 were admitted to Intensive Care Units at the time of reporting.

The report put the death toll at four. However, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said he had received information about 10 deaths.

On the ground, joint survey teams comprising officials from the district administration, municipal corporation and the health department are conducting door-to-door screenings. These teams are identifying new cases and distributing preventive ORS sachets and zinc tablets to residents to prevent symptoms from worsening.

The state government rejected allegations in the PIL that victims were left unaided. It cited a directive issued on December 30 mandating that all private hospitals provide completely free treatment, including diagnostics and medicines, to affected persons, not refuse admission to any patient from the affected area, and charge no fees. The state government has assured full reimbursement to private facilities.

While acknowledging that “no amount of monetary assistance can ever compensate for the loss of human life,” the government said it has provided ex gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased as an immediate supportive measure.

During the review meeting, Chief Minister Yadav had also ordered the issuance of show-cause notices to the municipal commissioner and additional commissioner.

The incident has drawn sharp political reactions. Senior BJP leader and former chief minister Uma Bharti said the state government must do “severe atonement” for the “sin” and called for “maximum punishment to all the culprits — from bottom to top.” She described the episode as the chief minister’s “testing time” and said the state’s image had been tarnished, adding that an apology was owed to the victims.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP’s “double-engine” government in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains silent whenever poor people die. He claimed the state has become an epicentre of misgovernance, citing reported deaths due to cough syrups, poor hygiene in government hospitals, and now contaminated water.

“Every home is filled with mourning, the poor are helpless — and on top of that, BJP leaders are making arrogant statements. Those who lost their lives and livelihoods needed solace; the government offered arrogance,” Gandhi said.

Senior cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya also sparked controversy on Thursday after using an objectionable word on camera when questioned by a television journalist about the incident.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X, said Prime Minister Modi frequently speaks about the Jal Jeevan Mission but has remained silent on deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore.

(With inputs from agencies)