Test report confirms bacterial contamination in 26 Indore water samples

One-third of water samples taken from Indore’s Bhagirathpura district and tested by medical officials contained bacterial contamination, even as authorities took steps to clean and repair the water supply line and start work on a delayed new supply line, according to a report submitted to the Indore Municipal Corporation on Thursday.

Approximately 2,800 people have fallen ill and 272 people have been hospitalized in the region in the last 10 days due to contaminated drinking water provided by IMC. While the official death toll remains at four, local reports and residents claim 14 people died due to contamination. On the first day of 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain and demanded a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

Indore District Commissioner Sudam Khade said: Hindu A report was submitted to IMC by Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College confirming bacterial contamination in 26 water samples. More than 70 samples were collected from various parts of the region.

new supply line

“The entire supply line has been cleaned, leaks have been repaired and water has been replaced. Chlorine tablets have been distributed in the area and residents have been advised to boil water before consumption,” said Mr. Khade, adding that the number of OPD patients has now reduced.

A tender was opened in August for a new water supply line to the region, but work had stopped for more than four months. Authorities pointed out that this negligence was one of the main reasons for the tragedy. According to Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who attended the meeting, this delay was discussed in a high-level meeting on Thursday and the tender will be finalized by Friday.

“We held a meeting today and resolved the tender issues and minor issues that caused disruption of other works. The tender for the Bhagirathpura region will be announced tomorrow and the work will begin,” he said.

During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Sanjay Dubey directed random sampling of drinking water in Indore and issued instructions to take measures to better deal with the situation and prevent similar tragedies in future. “ACS has also directed officials to improve coordination between the Health Department and IMC,” Mr. Khade said.

NHRC notification

Taking suo moto NHRC, which was notified of the situation based on a news in the press, said in its announcement: “It was reported that the public had been complaining about dirty water supply for several days, but no action was taken by the authorities. According to media reports, the main pipeline supplying drinking water to the area passes under a public toilet. It was reported that sewage water mixed with drinking water due to a leak in the main line. It was also stated that many water distribution lines in the area were faulty and therefore polluted. Water was reaching the houses.”

According to the statement made by the Chief Medical and Health Officer, more than 48 thousand 400 people have been screened in the region so far and approximately 2 thousand 800 of them were found to be showing symptoms. “To date, a total of 272 patients have been admitted to hospitals and 71 have been discharged. The number of patients currently hospitalized is 201 and the number of patients in intensive care is 32,” the statement said.

Mr. Vijayvargiya, who also represents the constituency in the House of Representatives, found himself in hot water after he used objectionable language while answering a reporter’s questions about these patients, prompting the Congress to demand his resignation.

objectionable language

In a heated exchange late on December 31, the TV reporter questioned the Minister about local residents’ claims that they had not been compensated by the hospitals where their family members were treated, despite the government promising to do so. The reporter also said that he visited the area and found that people have not been getting enough drinking water since the tragedy.

“Don’t ask butt (useless) questions. Ganta (a slang word for nonsense) you visited there,” Mr. Vijayvargiya can be heard saying in a video that has gone viral.

Mr. Vijayvargiya later expressed his regret over these remarks in a post on X. “My team and I are constantly working to improve the situation in the region, which has been sleepless for the last two days. My people are suffering from dirty water and some have abandoned us; in this state of deep sadness, my words in response to a question from the media turned out to be wrong. I express my regret for this. But I will not sit quietly until my people are completely safe and healthy,” he said.

State Congress chief Jitu Patwari said: “Ravana was not as arrogant as the BJP Ministers showed after giving poisoned water to people.”

It was published – 01 January 2026 22:44 IST