Indore water contamination deaths: Probe exposes killer lapses; residents told to avoid tap water till Friday

INDORE: A probe into the water contamination incident in Bhagirathpura, Indore, has exposed severe lapses in the city’s water supply system, with the death toll reaching seven on Wednesday and 162 patients undergoing treatment across 27 hospitals, both government and private.

Indore draws its water from the Narmada river, sourced from Jalud in Khargone district, about 80 km away, through pipelines.

key lapses:

• Leakage in main water pipeline: The main pipeline supplying Bhagirathpura had a loose joint, allowing possible contamination.
• Toilet constructed above pipeline: A newly-built toilet was dumping waste directly into a pit located above the water supply line.
• Improper waste management: The toilet’s pit lacked a proper septic tank, causing sewage to potentially mix with drinking water.
• Contamination at main line before branching: The contamination occurred near the main line, affecting a wider area before water distribution branched out.
• Delayed detection: The illness spread widely before authorities identified the contamination point near the Bhagirathpura police check post.

Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said a leakage was detected in the main water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura, above which a toilet had been constructed, leading to possible contamination of drinking water.

Dileep said, “We found that the illness was spread across the area, thus suspected that the contamination was near the main line, before it branched. The contamination point was identified near Bhagirathpura police check post, where a newly-constructed toilet was dumping waste in a pit instead of a proper septic tank. The pit was directly above the water supply line, which had a joint. We found that the joint was also loose. It was repaired.”

The IMC is now flushing the water pipeline and has advised residents to avoid using the water until Friday. Around 60–70 water tankers have been deployed to supply drinking water in the area. Additionally, ASHA workers are conducting door-to-door surveys to monitor new cases.

Confusion, however, persists over the exact number of fatalities. While city mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava stated that seven people had died, chief minister Mohan Yadav, speaking at a press conference after visiting patients in multiple hospitals, put the toll at four.

“As of now, the number of deaths recorded is four. Patients have been admitted to different hospitals. Government has a system of collecting records. We have initiated a probe and the final figure would be clear once the report is filed,” the CM said. He added, “But why should even one person die? The episode has left us hurt and saddened.” Yadav visited Verma Hospital, Beema Hospital, DNS, MY Hospital, and Shalby Hospital during his tour.

The health department has officially reported three deaths, but Mayor Bhargava said, “According to my information, seven persons have died after falling ill in Bhagirathpura area.” Verma Hospital officials confirmed that 162 patients are currently admitted across 27 hospitals.

The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, hearing a public interest litigation filed by Indore High Court Bar Association president Ritesh Inani, directed the local municipal corporation and state government to ensure an immediate supply of clean drinking water. The court also mandated free treatment for residents suffering from vomiting and diarrhea and ordered both authorities to submit a detailed status report by January 2, including the number of affected residents, hospital admissions, and the medical care being provided.

The incident highlights serious lapses in sanitation and water safety management, with both the civic body and state authorities facing scrutiny as families demand accountability for the preventable deaths caused by contaminated water.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy New Year wishes, messages, and quotes !