Indore, tagged India’s cleanest city, witnessed three deaths and hundreds of hospitalisations over the last two days following drinking water contamination. The contamination reportedly happened after sewage water mixed with drinking water, according to reports.
According to local news reports, an inspection conducted at Bhagirathpura in Indore, where the incident occurred, revealed that a sewerage chamber had been built directly above the Narmada drinking water line, which caused water contamination. There was also a leak in the drinking water pipeline, which may have caused the waters to mix.
5 people have died in Indore from drinking contaminated water
— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) December 31, 2025
Irony is that Indore is India’s cleanest city where water is not clean
A country that can’t even give clean water to their citizens deserve to be called a 3rd world country
Thank you BJP
pic.twitter.com/WUmdbVZISi
Sewage line above Narmada line
The inspection was conducted by Narmada Project Executive Engineer Sanjeev Srivastava and Drainage Department official Laxmikant Bajpayee on Tuesday morning. Local reports claim that the officials were stunned to see a sewerage chamber right above the Narmada line. The officials have reported this as an alarming negligence and sought action against those responsible for laying the pipeline. The officials stated that the contaminated water was likely to enter the Narmada line under such circumstances.
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed the situation, stating that drainage and sewage water were mixing at one point in the main line leading from the water tank. “The municipal corporation team has located the spot, and corporation employees and officials are working to repair it,” he said.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Three people have died in Indore's Bhagirath Pur area after allegedly drinking tap water supplied from the Narmada River. The deceased have been identified as Urmilabai, Nandlal Pal, and Manjulata.
— IANS (@ians_india) December 31, 2025
Manjulata’s husband Digambar, said that when their… pic.twitter.com/Wmup0zhyhm
Irregularities in tender
Tenders were also issued to repair the old water lines laid in the area in August 2025. The Municipal Commissioner has been instructed to recall these tenders and expedite the work. However, the tenders have not yet been opened. The new pipeline was to be laid at a cost of approximately ₹2.40 crore. Despite this, officials did not proceed with the process. Now, after the deaths, the tender has been hastily reopened.
Eight deaths?
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The incident came to light after people began experiencing serious complaints like vomiting, severe stomach pain, and fainting. Seeing the worsening situation, victims were rushed to various hospitals in the city. Eight people have died so far. However, authorities have confirmed only three deaths.
According to the Health Department, approximately 35 patients have been discharged after treatment, while 66 people remain hospitalised since yesterday evening. All patients are being provided with free and quality treatment.
