Indore water contamination: Presence of bacteria confirmed; what we know so far

At least ten people have died, 272 have been hospitalised and over 2,800 in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area have fallen sick over the past 10 days due to consumption of contaminated water supplied by the municipal corporation. While the government is yet to confirm the exact death toll, residents say 14 people have died. The issue has courted a full-blown controversy, with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking a detailed report from Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary within two weeks.

Indore has notably secured the title of “India’s cleanest city” for an unprecedented eight consecutive years in the Swachh Survekshan survey, outperforming major contenders such as Navi Mumbai and Surat. However, the recent incident has raised serious questions about the city’s sanitation standards. This has led to suspension of two officials, and dismissal of one from their service, senior officials said on Wednesday (December 31, 2025).

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said the State government is closely monitoring the water contamination incident in Indore and has taken all necessary steps to ensure proper treatment for those affected. Mr. Shukla said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is personally visiting hospitals, meeting patients and their families, and interacting with doctors to review the medical response.

Mr. Shukla said, “The CM is himself meeting patients and their families over there. He is also speaking with doctors. Our senior minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, has been actively working in Indore for the last three days. The government will ensure the best treatment, and the reasons for the contamination will be investigated...”

Speaking to The Hindu, Indore Divisional Commissioner Sudam Khade told bacterial contamination has been found in 26 water samples. A report has been sent by Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College to the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). More than 70 samples had been collected from various locations in the area.

Following the revelation, the IMC sprang into quick action and undertook complete cleaning of the supply line and repaired the leakges. “Chlorine tablets have been distributed in the area and residents have been advised to boil the water before consuming it,” Mr. Khade said, adding that the OPD patients numbers are now decreasing.

The NHRC, taking suo moto cognisance of the situation, has noted that the main pipeline supplying drinking water to the area is found to be passing beneath a ‘public toilet’ thereby, thereby deteriorating the quality of the water provided.

The NHRC said in its notice: “Reportedly, the residents had been complaining about the supply of contaminated water supply for several days, but no action was taken by the authorities. According to the media report, the main pipeline, which supplies drinking water to the area, passes beneath a public toilet. Due to a leakage in the main line, sewage water reportedly mixed with the drinking water. Besides, several water distribution lines were also found broken in the area, due to which contaminated water was reaching the households.”

Officials said a fresh tender had been issued in August for a new water supply line in the area, but work has remained stalled for over four months. They pointed “negligence” as one of the main causes behind the tragedy. This delay was discussed at a high-level meeting on Thursday (January 1, 2026), and the tender will be cleared by Friday (January 2, 2026), according to Urban development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who attended the meeting.

The recent statement by the Chief Medical and Health Officer, stated over 48,400 people have been screened in Bhagirathpura area. “So far, a total of 272 patients have been admitted to hospitals, of which 71 have been discharged. Currently, the number of patients hospitalised is 201, and the number of patients in the ICU is 32,” it said.

Meanwhile, IMC Commissioner Dileep Yadav told The Hindu that 100 water tankers have been sent to the area for emergency needs of residents.

In the light of the incident, Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya courted a controversy by saying “Don’t ask fokat (useless) questions in response to a journalist’s questions on local residents’ have not yet been reimbursed by the government despite making promises in public.

Soon, the video went viral on the social media, inviting sharp reactions from netizens for Mr. Vijayvargiya’s alleged unruly behaviour. However, the situation placated after Mr. Vijayvargiya took into X and tendered an apology.