Is Indore Facing a Water Contamination Crisis? 41 Hospitalized Due to Diarrhoea
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Indore, Jan 10 (NationPress) In the last 24 hours, four additional cases of diarrhoea have been reported in Indore’s Bhagirathpura region, raising the total number of hospitalized patients to 41 on Saturday, including 12 in intensive care units (ICUs), as stated by Chief Health and Medical Officer (CHMO) Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani.
Previously, there were 11 patients in the ICU on Friday. Unfortunately, the condition of another patient in a general ward worsened on Saturday, necessitating a transfer to the ICU.
To date, a cumulative total of 420 diarrhoea patients have been treated, with 379 discharged from more than 30 hospitals following a health crisis triggered by contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area.
Local BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya asserted on Saturday that the health situation in Bhagirathpura, where contaminated drinking water has recently resulted in several fatalities, is gradually returning to normal.
During his visit to Bhagirathpura on Saturday morning, Vijayvargiya informed the media that 30% of the work on a new pipeline to supply Narmada drinking water has been completed, and samples are undergoing testing at various locations. He announced that Narmada water supply will commence in parts of Bhagirathpura within the next two to three days.
He also noted that water samples from over 100 borewells in the area were contaminated and advised residents to consume only water provided via tankers. Furthermore, he has instructed Indore district collector Shivram Verma to halt permissions for new borewells.
Vijayvargiya mentioned that the administration plans to conduct health check-ups for all residents of Bhagirathpura, a process that has already commenced. Multiple medical teams are visiting homes in the area to conduct these check-ups.
“Approximately 50,000-60,000 residents inhabit Bhagirathpura, and their health check-ups are being managed by various medical teams. If any individual's health is found to be deteriorating, they will be given appropriate treatment,” stated Vijayvargiya.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS)Mohan Yadav Neeraj Mandloi, along with ACS and Indore in-charge Anupam Rajan, district collector Shivram Verma, and Indore Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal, conducted an inspection to assess the situation on site, interacting with residents.
ACS Neeraj Mandloi indicated that water supply in one-third of the Bhagirathpura area would be restored in the next one or two days.
“A 15-20 km-long pipeline is being installed, which will take some time. All necessary approvals for development works have been granted, and completion is expected within the next one to two months,” Mandloi informed the media.