Lapses in civic infrastructure have emerged as the primary cause of the water contamination crisis in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district, which has claimed seven lives so far. Investigations have revealed that a toilet was constructed directly above a main drinking water pipeline near a police outpost without the mandatory safety tank, allowing sewage to mix with potable water.
The disclosure comes as Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav reported seven deaths linked to the outbreak, while the health department has officially confirmed three fatalities. More than 149 people remain hospitalised as authorities work to contain the crisis. Of these, 36 patients have been discharged, while over 116 are still undergoing treatment.
Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar confirmed the findings while speaking to The Indian Express. “We have found that in case of the construction of the toilet, no safety tank was constructed beneath it. We are also probing the other lapses.”
Swift disciplinary action has followed the revelation. The Assistant Engineer (AE) in charge of water supply has been suspended, the sub-engineer has been relieved of duty, and the Zonal Officer has also been suspended for failing to ensure proper coordination.
“The zonal officer has been suspended because he should have seen overall coordination,” Commissioner Kumar said.
Officials said a leakage detected in the main water supply pipeline, combined with the improperly constructed toilet, created conditions for sewage to contaminate the drinking water network.
“We have found a few chambers that intersect the distribution line. We are getting them diverted,” Kumar said, adding that water test reports expected by evening would help determine the next course of action and the extent of contamination.
As authorities respond, grief and fear grip the affected locality, with residents afraid to consume tap water as they struggle to comprehend how a basic necessity turned deadly. Jitendra Prajapat recalled the death of his 50-year-old sister, Seema Prajapat.
“My sister suddenly started suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea and we did not even get a chance to manage the situation. She died on the way to the hospital,” he said. “One moment she was at home, the next she was gone.”
Another victim, Manjulata, an elderly woman, collapsed while cooking after complaining of stomach pain. Vomiting and diarrhoea soon followed, and she died within hours of being taken to hospital, leaving behind five daughters and an elderly husband. Her husband, Digambar, remains in shock.
“For the past several days, the water had been coming out dirty. We even filed complaints, but nothing was done about it. No one listened,” he said.
Siddharth is still reeling from the loss of his 75-year-old father, Nandlal Pal.
“My father died on Tuesday morning. He was fine just days ago. We rushed him to the hospital on December 28 when the vomiting and diarrhoea started. We thought it was something he ate, never imagined the water we drink every day could kill him,” he said.
A similar account was shared by Chandrakala Yadav, whose 70-year-old mother-in-law, Urmila Yadav, died after consuming tap water.
“On December 27, after drinking water from the tap, she developed severe diarrhoea. By the next day, she was gone. She used to tell us the water tasted strange, but we never thought it could be this dangerous. How can the water that’s supposed to keep us alive take our lives?” she asked.
For Bihari Kori, who lost his 29-year-old wife Uma Kori, the tragedy is still sinking in.
“My wife was young and healthy. She had her whole life ahead of her. We have small children who keep asking for their mother. What do I tell them? That the water from our own tap killed her?” he said, demanding accountability. “My children have lost their mother because someone failed to do their job.”
Residents said warning signs had been visible for days, but the severity of the danger was not realised.
“For the past week, the water tasted bitter, almost metallic,” Jitendra Prajapat said. “My sister complained about it. My neighbours and I did too. We thought maybe they had added too much chlorine or some purification chemical. We boiled the water, thinking that would make it safe. We had no idea contamination could be this severe.”
Authorities have launched an extensive operation to prevent further casualties. District Magistrate Shivam Verma outlined the response.
“Around 149 people are admitted to hospitals… Our survey team is going door-to-door. 2,700 houses had been surveyed by yesterday.”
The survey has now been extended to neighbouring areas to assess whether contamination has spread beyond Bhagirathpura, the initial epicentre. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and ASHA workers are visiting households and distributing oral rehydration solution (ORS) as a precaution.
“Our survey team is also visiting nearby areas. The ANM and ASHA workers are also going door-to-door and distributing ORS to people,” Verma said.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com