Indore water contamination: Death toll climbs to 8, several still hospitalised; 3 officials suspended

• Eight dead in Indore from suspected contaminated water in Bhagirathpura area
• CM orders strict action and suspends three officials over alleged negligence
• State to offer Rs 2 lakh compensation and cover medical costs for affected families.

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The death toll in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has risen to eight after several people fell seriously ill, allegedly due to contaminated drinking water supplied in the Bhagirathpura area of the city.

Taking cognisance of the matter, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday night ordered strict action against officials found responsible for negligence. Two officials of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), Zonal Officer Saligram Sitole and Assistant Engineer Yogesh Joshi, have been suspended, IANS reported.

In addition, Superintendent Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Shubham Srivastava, has been removed from service with immediate effect.

While laboratory test reports of water samples are still awaited, initial findings suggest that drainage water may have mixed with drinking water supply lines, leading to contamination.

The chief minister said that strict action would be taken once the investigation is complete. “The Bhagirathpura incident is tragic. Prima facie, negligence appears to be involved, and action has already been initiated,” he said in a statement issued late Tuesday night.

Earlier, CM Yadav expressed deep grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the families of the victims. He announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each bereaved family. He also assured that the state government would bear the full cost of treatment for all affected patients and refund any medical expenses already paid.

According to officials, three people died during treatment in different hospitals till Tuesday. However, the number of deaths increased to eight by Wednesday. Several others remain hospitalised, with many complaining of vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe stomach infections.

The health scare began after residents complained of an unusual smell and taste in municipal water supplied on December 25. Following these complaints, several people fell ill.

The opposition Congress has strongly criticised the civic administration. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari visited hospitals on Tuesday evening and blamed the Indore Municipal Corporation for the incident. He alleged gross negligence and demanded strict action against those responsible.

Patwari said the Indore district Congress unit is likely to file an FIR against the IMC and Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava.

“If drainage water mixes with drinking water, people usually fall sick but do not die. This suggests that some poisonous substance may have entered the water supply, and this must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.