A laboratory report from Indore has confirmed that contaminated drinking water triggered a major health crisis in the city’s Bhagirthpura area. The report revealed that sewage water mixed with the drinking water supply due to a pipeline leakage near a police outpost toilet. The contamination led to a severe outbreak of diarrhoea, affecting more than 1,400 residents and claiming at least four lives.
Health officials said the leakage occurred in a main water supply pipeline located beneath a toilet structure near the police chowki. This allowed sewage to seep directly into the drinking water network. The outbreak has damaged the reputation of Indore, which has held the title of India’s cleanest city for eight consecutive years.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani confirmed that a medical college’s lab report established the link between the pipeline leak and the spread of illness. While detailed findings were not released, officials admitted the water supply system posed serious risks.
Currently, 201 patients remain hospitalised, including 32 in intensive care units. Authorities have restored clean water supply after inspections and advised residents to boil water as a precaution. The Madhya Pradesh government plans to introduce a statewide Standard Operating Procedure to prevent such incidents in the future.
