The Madhya Pradesh government has established a state-level committee to investigate the water contamination incident in Bhagirathpura, Indore, which resulted in multiple deaths and affected nearly 500 individuals with waterborne diseases. Headed by Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department, the committee’s primary task is to identify the root causes and essential details of the contamination. P. Narhari, Principal Secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department, and Sanket Bhodave, Commissioner of the Directorate of Urban Administration and Development, are also part of the panel, with Sudam Khade, the Indore Divisional Commissioner, serving as the member-secretary.
According to the Indore district administration, the committee will investigate the administrative, technical, and managerial shortcomings that led to the incident. It will also ascertain the responsibility of officials and staff involved, propose measures to prevent future occurrences, and address other relevant issues related to the investigation. The committee is authorized to access records, reports, and information from relevant departments, as well as conduct on-site inspections as needed, with a mandate to submit its findings to the state government within one month.
Officials have reported a significant improvement in the health situation in Bhagirathpura, with water supply restored to 30% of the area. However, residents still depend on water tankers for their daily requirements. Madhav Prasad Hasani, the Chief Medical and Health Officer of Indore, mentioned that 17 patients remain hospitalized, including seven in intensive care units. The contamination, discovered in late December, caused a severe health crisis in Bhagirathpura, leading to the hospitalization of 450 individuals with diarrhea, of whom 433 had been discharged by Tuesday evening.
