By | Gitanjali Thorat | PR Desk
Deadly Water Contamination in ‘Cleanest City’
Mumbai : At least 10 people, including a five-month-old infant, have died after sewage-contaminated drinking water triggered a severe diarrhoea outbreak in Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital. More than 270 people have been hospitalised, with at least 32 patients currently in intensive care units, according to officials.
Residents Warned Authorities for Months
The outbreak occurred in Bhagirath pura, a densely populated, lower-income neighbourhood, where residents had repeatedly complained about foul-smelling tap water for months. Despite Indore’s repeated ranking as India’s “cleanest city” for the past eight years, locals said their warnings were ignored by municipal authorities.
Sewage Mixing in Main Water Pipeline
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed that sewage was mixing with the main drinking water line supplying the area. Preliminary investigations suggest a public toilet built above a water pipeline — without a septic tank — allowed sewage to seep directly into the drinking water supply.
Rising Death Toll and Mass Illness
While officials have confirmed 10 deaths, local media reports suggest the toll may be as high as 15, though this remains unverified. Beyond hospitalised patients, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said health teams conducting door-to-door checks identified 2,456 suspected cases and provided first aid on the spot.
Symptoms and Medical Findings
Residents began flooding hospitals earlier this week with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and high fever. Medical officials said water tests confirmed the presence of abnormal bacteria typically found in sewage containing human waste.
Officials Suspended, Probe Ordered
Municipal councillor Kamal Waghela described the incident as “gross dereliction of duty”. Several civic officials have been suspended pending investigation. Authorities are examining why repeated public complaints failed to trigger corrective action.
Infant Death Highlights Warning Failure
The death of a five-month-old baby has intensified public anger. The child’s father said the family used filtered tap water for bottle-feeding and was never warned about contamination. “There was no alert. The same water flowed through the entire neighbourhood,” he said.
Political Fallout and Accountability Questions
Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led state government of negligence, stating that access to clean water is a fundamental right, not a privilege. The state government has promised stricter rules and enforcement to prevent similar incidents.
Broader National Water Safety Concerns
The Indore crisis has renewed scrutiny of water testing across India. Reports indicate that only 59% of public water-testing laboratories nationwide are accredited, raising concerns over the country’s ability to detect contamination before outbreaks occur. Experts warn that rapid urbanisation, combined with weak oversight, increases the risk of future public health emergencies.
