The human cost of Indore’s contaminated water crisis continues to rise, with the death toll reaching 23 after a 64-year-old man succumbed following prolonged treatment, intensifying scrutiny of civic failures and public health safeguards.
Indore’s ongoing water contamination crisis claimed its 23rd life on Monday with the death of Bhagwandas Bharne, 64, who had been hospitalised for nearly 10 days after falling ill due to polluted drinking water.
Bharne, a resident of an affected locality, was initially admitted to a private hospital before being shifted to Bombay Hospital, where he died following cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure, according to his family.
The incident has deepened public anger and grief, as residents accuse civic authorities of negligence and delayed response. Officials, meanwhile, say emergency measures, including water quality testing, chlorination, medical camps, and an inquiry into the contamination source, are underway.
A Family’s Loss Amid Systemic Failure
Bhagwandas Bharne’s family described a harrowing medical ordeal that ended in tragedy. According to relatives, Bharne developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming tap water supplied to his neighbourhood. As his condition worsened, he was first taken to a private hospital and later referred to Bombay Hospital for advanced care.
“He suffered a cardiac arrest. Doctors performed CPR and put him on ventilator support, but his organs began to fail one after another,” a family member said. Despite intensive treatment, Bharne could not be saved, adding another name to the growing list of victims of the contaminated water crisis.
Health department officials confirmed that Bharne’s death has been linked to complications arising from waterborne illness. “We are treating this as part of the ongoing outbreak. All patients with similar symptoms are being monitored closely,” an official said, adding that treatment at government facilities is being provided free of cost.
For families like the Bharne’s, however, assurances come too late. Many residents say early complaints about foul-smelling and discoloured water were ignored, allowing the situation to spiral into a full-blown public health emergency.
How Contaminated Water Reached Homes
The crisis reportedly began when polluted water entered Indore’s public supply network, allegedly due to damaged or leaking pipelines that allowed sewage to mix with drinking water.
Several localities reported a sudden spike in cases of diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, and fever, overwhelming local hospitals and clinics.
In response, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) shut down affected water supply lines, increased chlorination, and deployed water tankers to provide temporary relief. Civic teams have also been collecting water samples from multiple points across the city for laboratory testing.
“A technical inquiry is underway to identify the exact cause of contamination and to fix accountability,” a senior IMC official said. “Repair work on old pipelines has been expedited, and we are flushing the system to prevent further spread.”
Despite these steps, residents argue that the response came only after deaths were reported. Public health experts warn that ageing infrastructure, combined with rapid urban expansion, has made cities like Indore vulnerable to such outbreaks unless preventive maintenance and regular audits are prioritised.
Hospitals Under Pressure, Communities in Fear
Government and private hospitals across Indore have been treating hundreds of patients affected by suspected waterborne diseases. Temporary medical camps have been set up in severely affected areas to provide oral rehydration salts, medicines, and initial screening.
Doctors say that while many patients recover with timely treatment, elderly individuals and those with pre-existing conditions face higher risks of complications, including organ failure.
“Contaminated water can trigger severe infections, and delays in treatment can prove fatal,” a senior physician said.
Meanwhile, fear has gripped several neighbourhoods, with residents avoiding tap water altogether. Many families are spending beyond their means to buy bottled water, while others depend on irregular tanker supplies. “Water is a basic necessity. We should not have to worry whether it will make us sick,” said a local resident.
Questions of Accountability and Governance
The rising death toll has sparked sharp criticism of civic governance, with opposition leaders and civil society groups demanding accountability and compensation for affected families. They have called for an independent probe into the lapses that allowed contaminated water to reach households and remain undetected.
Officials maintain that corrective measures are being taken, but acknowledge systemic challenges. “This is a wake-up call. We need long-term solutions, not just emergency fixes,” a health department official admitted.
Urban planners point out that water safety is not just a technical issue but a governance priority that requires coordination between departments, transparency, and community engagement.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragedy unfolding in Indore is not merely a story of contaminated water-it is a stark reminder of how institutional lapses can turn basic necessities into life-threatening risks.
Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right, and its failure reflects deeper cracks in urban planning, accountability, and empathy-driven governance.
While emergency responses and inquiries are essential, they must be followed by sustained investment in infrastructure, regular safety audits, and honest communication with citizens.
