MP CM Mohan Yadav meets an affected person undergoing treatment after the consumption of contaminated water, at a hospital in Indore on Wednesday
INDORE: Madhya Pradesh’s govt late Thursday evening confirmed nine deaths in Bhagirathpura following people falling ill after drinking contaminated water. People from the area had started pouring into hospitals across the city complaining of diarrhoea and vomiting since Monday after the drinking water supply to Bhagirathpura was contaminated with sewage water from a toilet built at the local police check post. Additional chief secretary Sanjay Dubey, in charge of the urban development department, told TOI: “Nine deaths have been reported in the area. But we can at present attribute only four to the contaminated water based on postmortem examination reports.” Indore district collector Shivam Verma said the initial report of tests on water samples from Bhagirathpura, received late Thursday evening, found the water to be “contaminated.” He, however, could not confirm the type of bacteria found.Strict action against those who didn’t follow instructions: Mayor Dubey, meanwhile, met top officials in Indore to chalk out the course of action. “We have worked out guidelines to ensure that funds are allocated and treatment costs of patients are taken care of,” Dubey said. MP CM Mohan Yadav had announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each victim’s family. Chief medical and health officer Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said on Thursday that 1,714 houses were surveyed and 8,571 people were examined. Of these, 338 patients were identified and treated on the spot.Till Thursday, 272 patients had been admitted to hospitals, of which 71 patients have been discharged. There were 201 patients currently in hospitals and 32 in the ICUs. During the meeting, Dubey discussed ways to contain the situation on the ground and ensure safe water supply. “Instructions issued on various works related to water and sewerage were not followed properly and strict action should be taken against those responsible,” Indore mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said. MP urban development and housing minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, however, said, “Around 60% of old pipelines have been changed. Work on the rest is on.” Earlier in the day, officials visited the site and checked the water supply pipelines. “Water supply was re-started on Thursday. But we did not allow residents to use it. Water samples were taken randomly. They will be tested on alternative days. Only after the samples are cleared will residents be allowed to consume that water,” Dubey said. The tragedy has also prompted authorities to consider taking steps in civic bodies across the state to prevent such incidents. “We will come out with a standard operating procedure to ensure that random water sample collection is carried out in all local bodies to ensure clean water supply,” he said. Vijayvargiya met the affected families and assured them of govt support. “No person and family affected by this outbreak will suffer. A list of those who were admitted to hospitals has been drawn up and treatment costs will be met. Their expenses will be returned to them via cheques,” Vijayvargiya said. MP Congress president Jitu Patwari, meanwhile, criticised BJP-led state govt over the deaths, saying the tragedy was the result of “gross negligence and arrogance of power”. Congress claimed 13 people had died. “This tragedy has occurred due to govt’s negligence and insensitivity. When journalists raise questions, ministers abuse them. This is not democracy but dictatorial thinking,” he said.
