'Even one death is painful': CM Mohan Yadav on confusion over Indore deaths

Mohan Yadav

The toll from contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura locality appeared to rise further on Wednesday, with local records and families claiming that at least 20 people have died. This is in sharp contrast to the Madhya Pradesh government’s official position, which has so far acknowledged only four deaths in the status report submitted to the High Court.

The discrepancy has triggered confusion and anger among residents, particularly after the district administration distributed compensation cheques of Rs 2 lakh each to 18 families. On Wednesday, two more names, Ramkali Jagdish and Shravan Natyu Khuprao, were added, taking the total number of families receiving compensation to 20. Officials said every reported death is being verified before financial assistance is released, even as the officially recognised death count remains far lower.

Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said the government would not “get into statistics” when it came to human loss. “The death of even a single person is painful for us. Those who have registered will be provided relief. The administration has its own methods, but the government stands with everyone,” Yadav said.

Speaking at the BJP state office later on Wednesday, he added that the administration counts deaths on the basis of post-mortem reports, but stressed that the figure is not final. “Death registration is also done through the municipal corporation. Whatever number comes to light, the state government will provide relief to the families of the deceased,” he said.

District officials, however, maintained that only a limited number of deaths can currently be conclusively linked to contaminated water. “Although six people have died, wherever a death is reported it is being verified and assistance is being provided,” an official said, acknowledging the gap between medical classification and compensation distribution.

Ground conditions in Bhagirathpura remain unstable. In areas where drainage line work was recently carried out, water began leaking and flooding the colony shortly after the Narmada water supply was restored on Wednesday. Shops were inundated and residents complained of sewage-mixed water entering premises, forcing authorities to shut down the Narmada line once again.

Health facilities continue to report new cases linked to the contamination. Between Wednesday morning and 2 pm alone, 18 patients arrived at the local primary health centre with complaints of diarrhoea, and six of them were referred to hospital for further treatment.

As the Madhya Pradesh High Court continues to monitor the crisis, the widening gap between official figures and compensation data, along with continuing failures in the water supply network, has raised fresh questions about transparency, accountability, and the state’s preparedness to handle a public health emergency.