Indore water contamination row: IMC top bosses out, staff ‘trying’ to figure out what next; tap supply suspended for 3 days

INDORE: As IMC staff contemplated over further changes in the civic body after removal of the commissioner and his deputy over Bhagirathpura incident, Indore collector Shivam Verma on Saturday took direct charge of the grossroot to handle the crisis in the diarrhoea-hit area. The removal of the top two IMC officials follows a reported high-stakes tussle between the mayor, supported by his MIC members and corporators, and the municipal administration. This political-administrative friction culminated in strict action by chief minister Mohan Yadav. However, the move has left the municipal workforce in a state of 'confusion'.While the IMC headquarters remained closed for the weekend, field staff in Bhagirathpura were observed discussing the fallout. Many employees were reportedly seen huddled together, trying to 'decipher' the administrative and political motives behind the sudden ousting of their seniors. Meanwhile, several officials visited the outgoing Commissioner's residence to understand the sudden turn of events, while social media was abuzz with some asking if similar accountability would be sought from the area's elected representatives."The politically motivated decision has left the entire IMC administration disheartened as we have been working hard to maintain the cleanliness along with ensuring all the services and new works to be done without any hurdle" a senior official said, wishing anonymity, adding that its been a history that this elected MIC has been opposing all the commissioners, who have served so far in last three years.Against this backdrop of administrative uncertainty, the collector on Saturday arrived in Bhagirathpura to restore public confidence.Following the sudden removal of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav and additional commissioner Rohit Sissoniya, Indore collector Shivam Verma took direct charge of the crisis in the diarrhoea-hit area. Verma, who has previously served as the IMC Commissioner, stepped into the vacuum to lead a multi-departmental cleanup of the region's failing water and health infrastructure."Out of 114 govt borewells in the area, 25 were shut down after failing quality tests," Verma told TOI, adding that authorities are currently testing approximately 400 private borewells belonging to residents. "The Narmada water supply to Bhagirathpura will remain suspended for the next 3 days. Supply will only resume once chlorine dosing and comprehensive safety testing are completed," he said, adding that the replacement of corroded, decades-old pipelines commenced on a priority basis. TNN