Indore water tragedy: Rahul Gandhi visits families of deceased, announces relief

Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi visited the victims of water contamination in Indore’s Bhagirathpura on Saturday, meeting affected families and patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital.

Gandhi announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the contaminated water. 

Also read: Taps, toilets and tragedy: How civic lapses led to preventable deaths in Indore

Local residents have claimed that 23 patients died in the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by the consumption of contaminated water in Bhagirathpura.

Gandhi visited four patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital, a private facility, enquired about their health and met their family members.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and party leader Umang Singhar accompanied Gandhi.

Gandhi also visited the Bhagirathpura area, where the outbreak was reported last month, and interacted with families of the deceased persons, expressing condolences and consoling them.

Police made elaborate security arrangements in Bhagirathpura ahead of Gandhi's visit and installed barricades at several locations.

State Congress president Jitu Patwari claimed, "24 people have died after consuming contaminated water in the city's Bhagirathpura area, and eight to 10 patients are in a critical condition." The state government, however, has put the toll at seven, including a five-month-old infant.

Gandhi said he would also visit Bhagirathpura to meet affected families and express condolences.

Also read: Indore water contamination: 5,000 homes surveyed as authorities rush emergency measures

Patwari criticised the state government over the issue, alleging, "Despite several deaths due to contaminated drinking water in Indore, state ministers are busy with grand events and are abusing us, asking why we are raising questions about this incident." He added that 70 per cent of water supplied in the state was contaminated, calling it "slow poison" that is causing serious damage to kidneys and other organs.

Patwari also said the Congress had planned a conference in Gandhi's presence to discuss solutions involving intellectuals, environmentalists, and municipal councillors, but the administration denied permission. "Hence, we will organise this conference at a later date," he said.