Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], January 3 (HBTV): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday condemned the negligence of officials in the water contamination crisis in Bhaagirthpura, Indore, and announced strict action against those responsible.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the state government would not tolerate negligence in the incident caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore and that strict decisions were being taken in the matter.
He said two officials had been suspended following the incident. ‘The corporation’s Additional Commissioner Rohit Sisonia and the in-charge Superintending Engineer of PHE Sanjeev Shrivastava have been suspended. Instructions have also been given to remove Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav,’ he said.
According to Indore district Collector Shivam Verma, five deaths have been officially confirmed so far in the water contamination incident, while the total number of hospitalised patients has risen to 210.
Verma said a team of senior doctors had been constituted to analyse death figures reported from various sources and that the official figure would be updated based on medical confirmation.
‘The administration issues figures on the basis of medical confirmation, and so far, five deaths have occurred in the incident. We have also constituted a team of senior doctors who will analyse death figures received from other sources, such as public representatives or the media, and we will update our official death figure report. Till yesterday, 201 people were admitted. Today, nine more people have been admitted, and the number has risen to 210,’ Verma told ANI.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with residents expressing a loss of trust in the municipal corporation.
Speaking to ANI, a resident, Lashkari, said, ‘We had been complaining about dirty water for many days, but no one was listening. My daughter Kanak Lashkari is 15 years old and is admitted to the hospital. My mother is 93 years old. She fell ill on the 24th. She has been treated and is now fine.’
‘Now we buy water to drink and for other uses. We take water from the government borewell. Municipal corporation tankers are supplying drinking water, but we are now scared to drink it. We no longer trust it. In the name of development, destruction is being done,’ he added. (ANI)