Indore Water Contamination Kills Seven, Probe On

At least seven people have died and nearly 150 have been hospitalised in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore after consuming contaminated drinking water, triggering an emergency response from the state government and sharp criticism over civic lapses.

The deaths, reported since December, are linked to a diarrhoea outbreak caused by polluted water supply in the Bhagirthpura area. Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed that while the health department officially recorded three deaths, four more patients admitted to hospitals later succumbed to the illness.

District Magistrate Shivam Verma said doctors have confirmed four fatalities due to the outbreak, adding that 149 people are currently undergoing treatment across 27 hospitals in the city.

According to Chief Medical and Health Officer Madhav Prasad Hasani, patients reported symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and severe dehydration after consuming contaminated water. Preliminary investigations suggest the contamination occurred due to a leakage in the main water pipeline located beneath a toilet, allowing sewage to mix with the drinking water supply.

Officials found that a toilet had been constructed over the main water line in Bhagirthpura, which likely led to the contamination after a pipeline leak developed.

In response, the state government has taken disciplinary action against officials linked to the lapse. Zonal officer Shaligram Shitole and in-charge assistant engineer Yogesh Joshi have been suspended, while deputy engineer Shubham Srivastava has been dismissed from service.

The issue first surfaced on December 25, when residents complained of a foul smell in their water supply, according to local councillor Kamal Baghela. Although problems had been reported earlier, the situation worsened significantly that day.

Health authorities conducted door-to-door surveys of 2,703 households and examined nearly 12,000 people following reports of the outbreak. A three-member inquiry committee headed by IAS officer Navjeevan Panwar has been constituted to investigate the incident.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited hospitals in Indore, describing the situation as “emergency-like” and assuring coordinated efforts for timely treatment. He announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and warned of strict action against those found responsible.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has also intervened, directing the state government to provide free treatment to affected patients and submit a status report by January 2 while hearing a public interest litigation related to the incident.