Contaminated drinking water killed at least eight people in Indore. More than 100 others fell ill. The incident occurred in Bhagirathpura area. Authorities reported the deaths between December 25 and December 30.

Residents first noticed a foul taste and smell in tap water on December 25. Soon after, people started vomiting. Many suffered from diarrhoea and dehydration. Panic spread across the locality.

Officials Face Action

The state government suspended Zonal In-Charge Shaligram Sitole. It also suspended Assistant Engineer Yogesh Joshi. Authorities removed PHE In-Charge Subnaitri Shubham Srivastava from duty.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief. He announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for each deceased family. The government will pay all medical expenses.

Residents Fall Seriously Ill

People consumed municipal water supplied from the Narmada river. Soon, entire families fell sick. Hospitals received patients in large numbers.

Nandlal Pal, 80, died during treatment at a private hospital, his son Siddharth said. Seema Prajapat, 50, died while being taken to hospital. Urmila Yadav, 70, died during treatment on December 28.

Residents said the water tasted “bitter” for several days. Many suspected chemical contamination.

Pipeline Leak Causes Contamination

Municipal officials detected a leak in the main water pipeline. A toilet stood directly above the damaged line. Contaminants likely entered the drinking water supply.

Municipal Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said, “We found a leakage in the main water supply pipeline at a place in Bhagirathpura, over which a toilet has been constructed. Repair work is underway."

Mayor Bhargava questioned administrative delays. He said, “A tender for laying a new water supply pipeline in the Bhagirathpura area had been issued months ago. Why was there a delay in this work? An impartial inquiry should be conducted to ascertain the reasons for negligence."

Health Teams Respond

Health teams surveyed 2,703 households. Doctors examined nearly 12,000 people. Medical staff treated 1,146 patients on the spot. Hospitals admitted 111 serious patients. Doctors discharged 18 patients after treatment.

Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani confirmed water testing. Authorities collected samples and sent them to laboratories.

Political Row Erupts

The Congress demanded strict action. It sought a culpable homicide case against the mayor and the municipal commissioner.

State Congress president Jitu Patwari said, “If drainage water mixes with drinking water pipelines, people can suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea, and jaundice, but they do not die from it. It appears that some kind of poisonous substance had mixed into the drinking water pipeline, and this needs to be investigated."

He added, “The BJP is in power in the Indore Municipal Corporation as well as at the state and the Centre. It is a matter of concern for the people of Indore what condition the city has come to under the BJP’s triple-engine government."

BJP spokesperson Alok Dubey rejected the allegation. He accused Patwari of “deliberate politics" during a tragedy.

Authorities Assure Action

Officials said they are helping all affected families. They promised strict action after the investigation. Indore receives water from the Narmada river. Pipelines carry it from Jalud in Khargone district, about 80 km away.