Indore: The death toll from a suspected water contamination incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has risen to seven, after dozens of residents from the
Bhagirathpura area fell ill over the past few days. Officials believe the illnesses were triggered by the consumption of contaminated municipal water.
Taking serious note of the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered strict action against erring officials late on Tuesday night. Two municipal corporation officers have been suspended, while a senior public health engineering (PHE) official has been removed from service with immediate effect.
“Bhagirathpura incident in Indore is tragic. Zonal officer Saligram Sitole and Assistant Engineer Yogesh Joshi were suspended. Superintendent Engineer of PHE Shubham Srivastava has been removed from his service with immediate effect,” Chief Minister Yadav said in a statement.
इंदौर के भागीरथपुरा क्षेत्र में दूषित पानी से नागरिकों के संक्रमित होने की घटना को अत्यंत गंभीरता से लेते हुए संबंधित जोनल अधिकारी जोन क्रमांक 4, सहायक यंत्री एवं प्रभारी सहायक यंत्री PHE को तत्काल प्रभाव से निलंबित एवं प्रभारी उपयंत्री PHE को तत्काल प्रभाव से सेवा से पृथक किया…
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) December 30, 2025
Earlier, the chief minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased through social media and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to each bereaved family. He also assured that the state government would bear the full cost of treatment for all affected patients, including reimbursement of expenses already incurred.
According to officials, three people had initially died while undergoing treatment in different hospitals until Tuesday. However, the toll increased to seven by Wednesday morning as more patients succumbed to complications, an official confirmed.
Local MLA and cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited hospitals late on Monday night, met affected families and reiterated that all medical treatment would be provided free of cost.
The outbreak reportedly began after residents complained of an unusual smell and taste in the municipal water supplied to the area on December 25. The incident has raised serious concerns about water safety and infrastructure maintenance in the city.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari visited hospitals on Tuesday evening and blamed the Indore Municipal Corporation for the tragedy. He alleged gross negligence and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Patwari said the district Congress unit would file an FIR against the Indore Municipal Corporation and mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava. He claimed that while contamination due to sewage mixing could cause illnesses like vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice, the deaths suggested the possible presence of a poisonous substance in the water supply, which requires urgent investigation.
