Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday admitted lapses by officials in connection with water contamination in Indore, which has claimed eight lives so far, and assured that those found
guilty would not be spared, irrespective of their rank.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed the deaths due to contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area, despite Indore being the cleanest city in the country. Over the past week, more than 1,100 residents have been affected by vomiting and diarrhoea, with 111 patients admitted to hospitals. Bhagirathpura falls under Vijayvargiya’s assembly constituency, Indore-1.
Commenting on the incident, Vijayvargiya told reporters, “I feel that a mistake has been committed, but it is better if we first ensure that all patients recover and create a positive environment rather than discuss this now.”
He added that none of those responsible for the contaminated drinking water incident would be spared, even if the official concerned held a very high position, news agency PTI reported.
On the number of fatalities, he said, “I will not comment on this at present because some people have died natural deaths, while some fatalities have occurred in this incident as well. Therefore, after an inquiry by doctors and the administration, we will share the figures.” He noted that while the number of patients suffering has declined, hospital admissions continue.
Four ambulances and separate medical teams have been deployed in Bhagirathpura. Vijayvargiya said separate wards have been set up for patients at Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital and Shri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, with private hospitals informed that the state government will cover the full cost of treatment.
Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said a leakage in the main water supply pipeline, near a toilet, likely caused contamination. Following Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s instructions, a zonal officer and an assistant engineer have been suspended, and an in-charge sub-engineer terminated. A three-member committee led by an IAS officer has been formed to probe the incident.
