1 hour ago
4
ARTICLE AD BOX
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday warned the Opposition Congress against “playing politics” over the deaths of residents after drinking contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura, calling the loss of lives a moment for solidarity, not point-scoring.
Days after at least 15 people died after drinking contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, Yadav, who was in the city to inaugurate Rs 800 crore worth of projects to augment Indore’s drinking water system, said that while constructive criticism strengthens democracy, politicising human suffering is “wholly inappropriate”.
“We have felt this testing time. But if you play politics over dead bodies, Indore will not tolerate it,” Yadav said.
The chief minister said the tragedy highlighted the need to strengthen Indore’s water system and claimed the state had already begun corrective work. He said that while the immediate focus was on rescue and relief, long-term upgrades would be prioritised to prevent similar incidents.
Chief Minister Yadav outlined key features of the project, including a 1,650 MLD intake well at the villages of Jalud and Bhakalay, construction of 2,235 mm-diameter raw and clear water pumping mains, a 400 MLD modern water treatment plant, and a 12 MLD break pressure tank for water pressure regulation.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said that, “keeping Indore’s future water requirements in mind, a Rs 1,100-crore plan was expanded with foresight to Rs 2,400 crore.” He stated that the project includes 10 years of operation and maintenance (O&M), ensuring a long-term, safe and high-quality drinking water supply. Once completed, the project will effectively meet Indore’s present and future drinking water needs and will prove to be a milestone in providing clean, adequate and reliable water to the city.
Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
English (US) ·