Indore water taint:10 dead, nearly 200 hospitalised, CM assures action

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday described the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirthpura area as an “emergency-like situation” and assured strict action against those responsible, as the death toll rose to 10 and nearly 198 patients remained hospitalised.The chief minister visited several hospitals in Indore to enquire about the condition of affected patients and later reviewed the situation in a high-level meeting with senior officials. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yadav said he had been informed of seven deaths connected to the incident.He said the outbreak, triggered by the consumption of contaminated drinking water, had affected a large population in Bhagirthpura, but timely and coordinated efforts by the administration and health machinery ensured prompt treatment, leading to improvement in many patients’ conditions.
According to information, the health of around 40,000 people in the area was screened, during which 2,456 suspected cases of vomiting and diarrhoea were identified. A total of 212 patients were admitted to hospitals, of whom 50 have since been discharged after recovery. At present, 162 patients are undergoing treatment, and the condition of almost all of them is reported to be stable.“The state government will not tolerate any negligence. We are prepared to take the strictest possible action against those responsible for the incident,” Yadav said. He added that officials have been directed to thoroughly examine complaints related to leakages in drinking water and sewer lines across the city and take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
An administrative official stated that acting on the chief minister’s directions, a zonal officer of the Indore Municipal Corporation and an assistant engineer posted in Bhagirthpura were suspended with immediate effect, while the services of an in-charge sub-engineer were terminated.“Based on the preliminary inquiry, action has been taken against some municipal corporation officials. Further steps will be taken after the detailed investigation report is submitted,” the chief minister said.Officials said a leakage was detected at a point on the main water supply pipeline in Bhagirthpura, above which a toilet had been constructed. The drinking water was likely contaminated due to the leakage. A three-member committee headed by an IAS officer has been constituted to probe the incident and fix responsibility.