Indore News: Once hailed as the cleanest city in India, Indore is currently facing one of the largest public health emergencies in its history. Contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area has caused hundreds of hospital admissions and several fatalities, prompting the government to suspend high-ranking officials and implement corrective actions.
Water Pollution Becomes Deadly
Indore News: The disaster started when people in the heavily populated Indore neighborhood of Bhagirathpura began to report strange symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, after consuming tap water. Subsequent laboratory testing verified that a pipeline malfunction had caused sewage to flow into the drinking water system, contaminating the municipal water supply. Over 200 individuals have been hospitalized, and at least 10 people have died, according to the official count thus far.
Senior Officials Removed or Suspended
The Madhya Pradesh government has taken intense disciplinary action in response to the issue, dismissing the chairman of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) and suspending both the superintending engineer in charge of the waterworks sector and the IMC additional commissioner. The senior municipal official who was fired has come under fire for failing to ensure timely pipeline repairs and for ineffectively coordinating with lower-level employees.
Government Orders Sweeping Safety Measures
The Urban Development and Housing Department instructed the state’s municipal authorities to immediately assess water distribution networks throughout their cities. Inspections are required for pipes that are more than 20 years old or near sewer lines, and any leaks found must be corrected within 48 hours.
