Senior Congress leader Mukesh Nayak accused the BJP-led Indore Municipal Corporation of misusing funds from the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission, leading to over 40,000 residents consuming contaminated water in the past six months. Nayak highlighted the failure to lay proper pipelines for new water connections, resulting in the mixing of sewerage lines with Narmada water supply pipelines. Despite allocations, tenders for new water pipelines were repeatedly floated but not finalized, Nayak claimed.
Alleging irregularities in fund utilization, Nayak mentioned that the water contamination caused deaths and illnesses, with at least 13 reported deaths and around 700 individuals undergoing treatment in hospitals. Discrepancies arose as the state government confirmed four deaths, while the Indore Mayor stated nearly seven deaths. The crisis also exposed poor coordination between the Mayor and IMC officials, acknowledged by Madhya Pradesh’s Urban Administration Minister.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, accompanied by officials, visited hospitals and conducted a review meeting to address the crisis. Yadav assured immediate clean water supply to affected areas and pledged strict action against those responsible for the water tragedy. Around 40,000 residents were screened, with over 2,400 individuals suffering from vomiting and diarrhea receiving first-aid treatment at home. Official data revealed 212 hospitalized patients, including 30 in intensive care units across various hospitals.
