News Highlights: 200 still hospitalised in Indore water contamination case, 32 in ICUs; municipal commissioner suspended

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated nine schemes and laid the foundation for two more in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday, with a total investment of Rs 373 crore. He highlighted the Integrated Command and Control Centre worth Rs 229 crore, as well as projects in healthcare, ICU facilities, critical care, and road construction under PMGSY. Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in transforming the islands and honoured the valour of freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar and Subhash Chandra Bose. The initiatives aim to strengthen tourism, infrastructure, and development, contributing to a vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”

At least 14 Maoists, including wanted cadres Vetti Mangdu and Madvi Hunga, were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Bijapur districts on Saturday, officials said.

After being in the "very poor" category for the last few days, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has improved to "poor" category as the national capital woke up to a chilly and windy morning on Saturday.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the daily average AQI continued to decline, with the city recording an overall AQI of 222.

Among key monitoring stations, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 248, R.K. Puram 252, Rohini 270 and Mundka 281. Chandni Chowk registered an AQI of 272, while ITO recorded 219. Air quality was relatively better at Bawana (AQI 145) and Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (AQI 148).

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP's "double-engine" government in Madhya Pradesh over the tragedy, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is always silent whenever poor die.

Gandhi alleged that Madhya Pradesh has become the epicentre of misgovernance and cited various instances of casualties reportedly due to cough syrups, poor hygiene at government hospitals and now due to contaminated water.

"Every home is filled with mourning, the poor are helpless - and on top of that, BJP leaders are making arrogant statements. Those who lost their lives and livelihoods needed solace; the government offered arrogance," he said.

On Friday, the government submitted a 40-page status report before the High Court, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ritesh Inani.

The outbreak of diarrheal illness due to contaminated water supply is now under effective control, with continuous minute to minute monitoring in place to prevent any resurgence, the government said.

Out of the 294 patients admitted across various facilities since the outbreak began, 93 patients have been successfully treated and discharged. Out of the remaining 201 patients, 32 were at present admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, the report said.

(PTI inputs)

The Madhya Pradesh government on Friday shunted out the Indore municipal commissioner and suspended two senior officials over deaths due water contamination in Indore's Bhagirathpura area.

Chief minister Mohan Yadav in a post on X said he ordered the "removal" of municipal commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav, and the suspension of additional municipal commissioner Rohit Sissoniya and in-charge superintendent engineer of Public Health Engineering department Sanjeev Shrivastava.