"Our Cries Were Ignored": Bereaved Indore Families Blame Fatal Negligence for Contaminated Water Outbreak

The severe water contamination incident in Bhagirathpura, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, which has claimed the lives of 11 people has affected more than 150 others over the past few days. Families in the area recounted the sudden onset of illness, with victims suffering from persistent vomiting and diarrhoea shortly after consuming tap water. The tragedy has sparked urgent public health concerns in a city once ranked India’s cleanest.

Anil Likhar, whose brother was among the deceased, recalled the harrowing final moments. “On Sunday, he returned home from work and kept vomiting. On Wednesday evening, I received a call that he was unwell. We rushed him to the hospital, but he had passed away on the way,” Likhar said. The personal accounts highlight the rapid and severe impact of the outbreak on residents.

Laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak was caused by contaminated drinking water. Officials stated that samples contained bacteria typically found in sewer water, likely originating from a leak in the main water pipeline beneath a toilet. Authorities suspect the leakage allowed sewage to mix directly with the city’s drinking water supply, creating a life-threatening situation.

Also Read: Pipeline Leak Causes Sewage Mixing, Claims 11 Lives in Indore

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said the state government is closely monitoring the crisis. “We are providing the best possible treatment to all affected individuals and investigating the reasons behind the contamination,” he said. The Chief Minister is personally meeting patients and families while coordinating with doctors to ensure proper care.

Emergency measures have been stepped up across Indore, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to provide free treatment to affected residents. A three-member inquiry committee, led by IAS officer Navjeevan Panwar, has been formed to investigate the circumstances leading to the contamination and recommend corrective actions.

Health officials have emphasised the urgency of repairing and monitoring water pipelines to prevent future incidents. Chief Medical and Health Officer Madhav Prasad Hasani noted that the outbreak was caused by diarrhoea-inducing bacteria entering the drinking water system, underscoring serious flaws in the city’s water infrastructure despite its reputation for cleanliness over the past eight years.

Also Read: Indore Water Crisis: One Dead, Dozens Ill After Drinking Contaminated Supply