The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday ordered an immediate halt to the supply of contaminated water in Indore, issuing a series of emergency directions after unsafe drinking water caused widespread illness and eight deaths.
The outbreak affected over 1,100 people, with more than 110 hospitalised, prompting the court to term the situation a grave public health emergency.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi observed that the incident had badly damaged Indore’s standing as one of the country’s cleanest cities and raised serious questions about administrative accountability.
The court noted that it had already directed the Indore Municipal Corporation on December 31 to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to the Bhagirathpura area and to submit a detailed status report on hospital admissions and treatment. Despite these directions, contaminated water continued to be supplied, the petitioner’s counsel told the court, citing residents’ complaints that had gone unaddressed even before the outbreak. The submission was reported by Live Law.
During the hearing, a senior advocate pointed out that a freshwater pipeline project notified in 2022 had not been executed due to non-release of funds. It was also highlighted that water samples tested by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board in 2017–18 found 59 out of 60 samples unfit for consumption, yet no remedial measures were taken.
Taking note of the lapses, the court directed authorities to immediately stop water supply from contaminated pipelines, borewells and river sources, and to ensure the supply of safe drinking water through government tankers. It also ordered free and prompt medical treatment for affected residents at government hospitals and empanelled private facilities.
The bench further directed comprehensive water quality testing across affected areas, replacement of old and damaged pipelines, installation of online water monitoring systems, and strict adherence to chlorination and disinfection norms.
The Chief Secretary and senior municipal officials were asked to ensure strict compliance and to appear via video conference at the next hearing to report on corrective measures taken across the state. The matter is scheduled to be heard on January 15.
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