After eight deaths and nearly 200 hospitalisations due to contaminated water in Indore, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed civic authorities to ensure clean drinking water in all areas. The Court has also sought a detailed status report from the State and municipal officials on the cause of contamination and remedial measures.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday took serious note of the deaths and illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore and directed the civic authorities to immediately ensure the supply of clean and safe water in all affected areas.
The Court also asked the State Government to make sure that proper medical treatment is provided to all persons who were hospitalised after consuming contaminated water.
The matter came before the High Court after reports emerged that at least eight people had died and more than 100 residents were hospitalised in Indore after drinking polluted water supplied through municipal connections.
The incident has raised major concerns about the safety and quality of drinking water being supplied to the public in the city.
According to reports, the outbreak started on December 25 after residents complained of an unusual taste and foul smell in the municipal water supply. Soon after consuming the water, several people began suffering from serious health issues.
Many residents alleged that they and their family members fell sick after drinking Narmada river water supplied through municipal taps.
Those affected reported symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and severe weakness. As the number of patients increased rapidly, hospitals in the city admitted more than 100 people for treatment.
Taking note of the seriousness of the issue, the High Court directed the municipal authorities and the State Government to submit a detailed report explaining how the contamination occurred and what steps have been taken to prevent further harm.
During the hearing, civic authorities informed the Court that over 20 water tankers have been deployed to supply clean drinking water to the affected localities as an emergency measure.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav ordered strict action against officials responsible for the lapse.
Acting on his directions, the municipal corporation suspended the zonal officer and an assistant engineer pending an inquiry into the matter. The State Government also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives due to the contaminated water.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited the affected families and assured them of full support from the government. He stated that around 198 people were hospitalised due to the water contamination, but most of them are now stable.
He said,
“No one is in the danger zone. One patient is on ventilator support but is out of danger,”
adding that treatment would be provided free of cost and expenses already incurred would be reimbursed.
Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav explained that a leakage in the main water supply pipeline, located near a toilet, was likely the cause of the contamination.
He confirmed that following the Chief Minister’s instructions, a zonal officer and an assistant engineer have been suspended, while an in-charge sub-engineer has been terminated from service.
To ensure accountability and prevent such incidents in the future, the State Government has constituted a three-member inquiry committee led by an IAS officer to investigate the incident in detail and fix responsibility for the negligence that led to the tragic loss of lives.
The High Court is expected to closely monitor the matter and review the report submitted by the authorities, as the incident highlights serious lapses in public health and civic infrastructure management.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Indore Water
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
