Indore Water Contamination Traced to Pipeline Leak; HC Hearing Today
MGM Medical College report links contaminated drinking water to health crisis as state prepares to submit status report before Madhya Pradesh High Court
Indore, Dec 02 : Laboratory tests have confirmed that contaminated drinking water triggered the health crisis in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, with a pipeline leak identified as the source of contamination. The state government is expected to place a detailed status report before the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court later today.
The findings are based on an analysis conducted by Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College, which examined water samples following reports of widespread illness and multiple deaths in the locality.
Confirming the submission of the report on Thursday, Indore Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr Madhav Hasani said the tests revealed contamination in the water supply caused by leakage in the pipeline.
“The medical college’s report has confirmed contamination in the water supply due to a pipeline leak in Bhagirathpura. However, the exact level of contamination and the precise cause of the deaths are yet to be determined,” Dr Hasani said.
Officials said further clarity is expected once the state government submits its status report to the High Court.
Meanwhile, the health department carried out an extensive medical screening drive on Thursday, examining more than 8,500 residents across over 1,700 households in the affected area. During the exercise, 338 new patients were identified and provided primary treatment at home.
According to official figures, a total of 272 patients were admitted to various hospitals. Of these, 72 have been discharged so far, while 201 patients remain hospitalised, including 32 receiving treatment in intensive care units.
The matter is currently under judicial scrutiny. On Wednesday, a division bench of Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta and Justice BP Sharma, while hearing a public interest litigation related to the incident, directed the state government and the Indore Municipal Corporation to submit a comprehensive status report by January 2.
There is still uncertainty over the death toll. While the state government has officially confirmed seven deaths, some reports suggest the number could be as high as 14 between December 21, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Urban Affairs and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Thursday distributed ex gratia compensation to the families of the seven officially confirmed deceased. Each family received Rs 2 lakh, as announced earlier by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
