Lab report flags drinking water contamination in Indore; over 1,400 affected
A laboratory investigation has confirmed that contaminated drinking water caused the vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak that has claimed at least four lives and affected more than 1,400 people in Indore.
The outbreak has raised serious concerns about drinking water safety in Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital, which has been ranked India’s cleanest city for eight consecutive years.
What caused the vomiting-diarrhoea outbreak in Indore?
Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani, said a test report prepared by a city-based medical college confirmed that the drinking water supplied to parts of Bhagirathpura was contaminated due to a pipeline leakage.
According to officials, the leakage occurred in the main drinking water supply pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura. The affected section reportedly runs beneath a toilet structure, which allowed sewage to seep into the water supply.
While detailed laboratory findings were not made public, health authorities said the contamination was severe enough to trigger a life-threatening public health emergency.
How is the administration responding to the water crisis?
Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey said the government has begun a thorough inspection of the entire drinking water pipeline network in Bhagirathpura to identify any other possible leakages.
“We are closely examining the entire drinking water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura to find out if there is any leakage elsewhere,” Dubey told PTI. Fresh water samples have also been collected and sent for testing.
Dubey, who visited the affected area on the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, said the state government will issue a standard operating procedure (SOP) across Madhya Pradesh to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Over 8,500 residents screened, 200 still hospitalised
Health department officials said that during a door-to-door survey conducted on Thursday, 1,714 households in Bhagirathpura were covered and 8,571 people were medically examined.
338 residents with mild symptoms were treated at home
272 patients were admitted to hospitals over the last eight days
71 patients have been discharged
201 patients remain hospitalised
32 patients are currently in ICUs
Medical teams continue to monitor the situation closely, while sanitation and water supply repairs are ongoing.
Clean city image under spotlight
The incident has put Indore’s reputation as India’s cleanest city under sharp scrutiny, highlighting the urgent need for regular monitoring of water pipelines, especially in densely populated areas.
Councillor alleges negligence, inquiry committee formed
Local councillor Kamal Waghela stated that after residents began falling ill, Narmada water was supplied daily through tankers, as people had lost trust in the regular water supply. He alleged that the faulty design of the water and drainage pipelines, with the drainage line running above the Narmada water pipeline, led to corrosion and contamination.
Waghela also accused civic officials of delays, claiming work on a new pipeline was stalled for months despite the tender being cleared.
"The responsibility of the Narmada water lies with municipal officer Sanjeev Shrivastava. Even though the tender for the new pipeline had been completed, he had stopped work for six months. Officers do not work quickly," he said.
In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, he flagged administrative negligence. Confirming action, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the complaint has been taken into consideration and an inquiry committee has been formed, with further action to follow its report.