Officials knew pipeline was not safe, files floated, ignored for months; 8 deaths in Indore: All you need to know

While locals had complained about “foul stench,” and “acid” in the water, the administration only woke up after reports of first deaths emerged on December 29, 2025. The National Humans Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government.

1. 01

   What has happened in Indore?

   Indore, the cleanest City in India for the 8th consecutive year and recipient of the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards is experiencing a major health crisis, reportedly due to water contamination.

   Prima facie, mixing of sewage into the drinking water supply in the Bhagirathpura area in Indore has resulted into eight deaths so far.

   Investigations found that a toilet had been constructed directly over a main water pipeline without a safety tank, causing contamination. At least eight people have died, over 1,400 fell ill with more than 149 being hospitalised.

2. 02

   Did the administration receive any complaints?

   The administration had received several complaints much before the outbreak. Officials said the first warning came two months ago through the Indore Mayor’s helpline.

   In 2025 alone, the city recorded 266 water quality complaints. Zone 4, which includes Bhagirathpura, accounted for 23 of them. Records show 16 contamination cases were assigned to Assistant Engineer Yogesh Joshi. Only five were resolved, while seven were simply closed as ‘completed’.

   Corporator Kamal Waghela said a file to lay a new Narmada pipeline was prepared in November 2024 after officials found faults in the water lines. He alleged that the file was kept pending for nearly seven months.

   The tender was floated after senior corporation officials conducted a spot check and found that water pipelines needed fixing. The file was prepared on November 12, 2024, and a tender was floated on July 30, 2025. The work order to execute the final leg of the project was passed on December 26, 2025, just when the deaths started coming to light.

   In a letter to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on December 31, Waghela said officials repeatedly told him the matter was ‘under process’. He said the tender was finally issued on July 30, 2025 only after he approached the mayor, and even then the work was delayed.

3. 03

   How did the administration react to complaints?

   Officials claimed that poor coordination led to serious lapses in safety checks. Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar said the zonal officer was suspended as he failed to ensure overall supervision.

   He said a leakage in the main water pipeline went unnoticed. An illegally built toilet over the line had no safety tank. This allowed sewage to mix with drinking water. “We found chambers intersecting the distribution line,” Kumar said.

   “They are now being diverted.” He added that further test reports will reveal how far the contamination has spread.

4. 04

   What action has been taken so far?

   MP CM Mohan Yadav has expressed grief over the incident and announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also said that the state government would bear the entire cost of the treatment of all patients who have fallen ill.

   A three-member IAS-led committee has been formed to probe the deaths.

   Additional Commissioner Rohit Sisonia has denied inaction. “It is false to say no repair work was done,” he said. He said pipeline repairs were staggered under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. He added that work on the tender could not start as it might lead to ‘financial misappropriation’.

   The water supply Assistant Engineer has been suspended. The sub-engineer has been removed from duty. The zonal officer has also been suspended. “The zonal officer should have ensured coordination,” Commissioner Kumar said.

5. 05

   What has NHRC stated?

   Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Thursday said it has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government. It observed that the matter raises a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victims, PTI reported.

   The commission has sought a detailed report in two weeks.