Did Poor Coordination Between Indore Mayor and IMC Officials Lead to Water Crisis?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 150 residents of Indore fell ill due to contaminated water.
- Poor coordination between the Mayor and IMC officials was highlighted.
- An inquiry is underway to identify responsible parties.
- Health officials are managing treatment across multiple hospitals.
- Accountability measures have been promised by the Chief Minister.
Indore, Jan 1 (NationPress) Following the alarming incident where over 150 residents of India’s cleanest city, Indore, fell ill due to contaminated drinking water, serious concerns have arisen regarding the inadequate coordination between Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and senior officials of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).
This revelation came from Madhya Pradesh Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who, along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, visited multiple hospitals late Wednesday night and subsequently conducted a review meeting with IMC officials and the Mayor.
“We have pinpointed the area where the drinking water supply became contaminated due to a sewer connection. Inspections in other regions are ongoing, with the issue set to be addressed shortly. However, it has been observed that coordination between the Mayor and municipal officials was lacking, and actions will follow,” Vijayvargiya informed the media.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav referred to the circumstances in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, where residents experienced severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, as an “emergency-like situation.” He pledged to take stringent action against anyone found accountable.
“An investigation is currently in progress, and I am ready to implement tough measures against those responsible for the Bhagirathpura water crisis,” Yadav stated. He noted that patients are receiving treatment in approximately 30 hospitals across Indore, and it may take some time to determine the precise number of casualties.
The Indore district administration indicated that around 40,000 residents in Bhagirathpura have been screened over the past three days. Among them, 2,456 individuals were identified with vomiting and diarrhea and received initial treatment at home.
Official reports released late Wednesday night indicated that 212 patients were hospitalized, with at least 30 admitted to ICUs across various facilities.
While no official death toll has been confirmed yet, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav indicated that at least seven fatalities had occurred as of Wednesday.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two senior IMC officials, and senior Public Health Engineering (PHE) official Shubham Shrivastava was dismissed from service immediately.
An inquiry panel led by senior IAS officer Navjeevan Panwar is currently investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court requested a status report on the Bhagirathpura incident, directing authorities to submit it by January 2.