A laboratory investigation has confirmed that contaminated drinking water was behind the widespread diarrhoea outbreak in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, Indore’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said, underscoring a severe public health failure in the city’s water supply system.
The outbreak, which began in late December, has affected more than 1,400 residents, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration, and has been linked to multiple deaths as well as hundreds of hospitalisations.
The findings from the lab report, prepared by a city‑based medical college, show that a leakage in the main drinking water pipeline allowed sewage‑tainted water to enter the potable supply. The point of contamination was located near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura where a toilet had been constructed over the pipeline, creating conditions for drainage water to mix with the drinking water.
Officials raced to stop the contaminated supply once the leak was identified and clean water was restored to households after inspection and repairs, but not before a large number of residents were exposed to unsafe water. Local health authorities carried out a survey of more than 1,700 households in the area, examining thousands of people; many received primary treatment in their homes while others were admitted to hospitals. At least 272 people were hospitalised as of early January, with dozens still in intensive care units.
Local officials have confirmed at least four deaths directly linked to the contaminated water, though some residents and civic leaders have suggested the toll could be higher. Authorities are reviewing these discrepancies as part of the ongoing response.
The crisis has highlighted underlying weaknesses in urban water infrastructure and prompted a broader examination of the pipeline network. The government is checking for further leaks and has advised people in the area to boil all drinking water as a precautionary measure. Samples of water have been sent for further testing to monitor safety.
Health and civic officials are also exploring systemic measures to prevent similar incidents across the state, including potential issuance of a standard operating procedure for water supply management. The outbreak has renewed calls for improved sanitation and stricter enforcement of safety norms across municipal water systems.
The contaminated water episode has tarnished Indore’s long‑held reputation as one of India’s cleanest cities and sparked urgent efforts to strengthen water quality monitoring and infrastructure resilience.
