Ashok Singh, MP in Rajya Sabha, asked whether the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs would be pleased to state whether the Government accepts that while Indore gets the ‘Smart City Award’, residents in areas like Bhagirathpura are dying due to criminal negligence of the administration in providing sewage mixed drinking water supply, if so, whether the Municipal Commissioner and the responsible engineers have been booked or held guilty for negligence, and not just put the blame on low-level employees.
Further the MP asked whether specific details of the compensation (financial and employment) provided to the next of kin of the deceased and why the Ministry continues to provide funds for ‘smart city’ marketing when basic life-saving infrastructure fails?
What was the reply given by the Central Government?
Answering the question, Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Tokan Sahu said that water is a state subject and water management is the responsibility of the state government. The Government of India supports the state’s efforts through planned interventions/consultancy. It provides financial and technical support to the States through various schemes/missions such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0 for approved infrastructure projects aimed at improving urban services including water supply and sewerage systems.
Under this Mission, States/UTs are empowered to select, evaluate, prioritize and implement projects as per local needs including augmentation/rehabilitation of infrastructure as per the Mission guidelines. State governments are responsible for monitoring, enforcement and corrective action for drinking water safety.
Minister said- State government has been informed
The minister said that the state government has informed that on receiving information about cases of vomiting and diarrhea in Bhagirathpura, Indore on December 28, 2025, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) in collaboration with the Health Department and Public Health Engineering Department initiated a joint and rapid response. At first, all sick patients were taken care of and those who were serious were admitted to super-speciality medical colleges and prestigious private hospitals. Those who were not so serious were looked after by the Integrated Health and Child Development Services (ICDS) staff with door-to-door monitoring and distribution of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets and chlorine tablets for water disinfection.
He said water supply through pipelines and borewells was completely stopped and water tankers were pressed into service. Samples were taken from multiple supply points at the user end and sent to NABL accredited laboratories to ascertain the type of contamination.
He said immediate corrective action was taken after identification of leakage, possibility of mixing of contaminated water and repair work was initiated. The area has pipelines dating back to 1997 and some are damaged, so the city administration identified stretches of the old pipeline and included it in AMRUT 2.0.
Ex-gratia amount has been provided to the families of the deceased.
Apart from this, the minister said that the state government has provided ex-gratia amount to the families of the deceased as per the prevailing norms of the state. A compensation of ₹ 40 lakh has been given to the deceased from Bhagirathpura. Free medical treatment was provided to the affected persons in government/private hospitals. In Bhagirathpura, 35,421 houses were surveyed by health officials in which 1,64,942 people were tested. 454 patients were admitted to the hospital, out of which 441 have been discharged. Experts from AIIMS Bhopal came to Indore on 03.01.2026 and during the meetings shared protocols regarding treatment and 24X7 medical facility has been ensured by the state.
Action has been taken against officials for negligence
The state government has also informed that disciplinary action has been taken against the officers responsible for negligence in duty in connection with the Bhagirathpura incident. The Commissioner, IMC and Additional Commissioner and in-charge of drinking water supply have been transferred. The Executive Engineer (Narmada) has been suspended for serious negligence in work related to the incident. Further, the Assistant Engineer, Zone No. 04, and Zonal Officer, Zone No. 04, Ward No. 11, have been suspended for negligence, neglect and disobedience to the orders of superior officers, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against them. Muster Sub-Engineer, Zone No. 04, Ward No. 11, has been relieved of duty (dismissed), his remuneration has been stopped, and his employment ID has been permanently locked.
The state government has also informed that the matter is currently sub judice before the Indore High Court. The Indore High Court, in its order dated January 27, 2026, has appointed a one-man commission of Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court, to investigate the issues related to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore and its impact on other areas of the city.
