The Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that numerous neighborhoods in Indore are on the brink of becoming the 'next Bhagirathpura' due to systemic administrative failure. His caution came after a day-long 'water audit' across the city, where he personally collected and tested samples, uncovering a severe public health hazard.
Shocking Findings from the Ground Audit
Singhar commenced his audit in Madina Nagar, a predominantly Muslim area, where residents narrated tales of alleged administrative neglect. Local women claimed the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) demands exorbitant amounts between Rs 7,000 and Rs 22,000 for new connections and alleged arrears, yet supplies only sewage-mixed water. Despite paying annual bills up to Rs 3,000, they face disconnection threats for non-payment of this unfit supply.
The situation was equally alarming in other areas. In Khajrana, the supposedly pure Narmada water supply emitted a heavy stench. Singhar expressed disbelief that Indore, repeatedly crowned India's cleanest city, forces its citizens to consume foul-smelling, contaminated water. He criticized Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, suggesting his governance appears confined to select affluent corridors rather than the entire city that elected him.
Negligence and Public Health Risks
The audit revealed critical infrastructure failures. In Indore Assembly Constituency-2, drinking water pipelines were found running perilously close to open sewers, a condition Singhar labeled a 'living testament' to the gross negligence of the urban administration department.
Similar dire conditions were documented in Bhuri Tekri, where stagnant water and filth have caused a surge in illnesses. In Barfani Dham and Kanadia, water samples failed basic safety tests. "In almost every locality, water was found to be highly polluted, foul-smelling, and entirely unfit for human consumption," Singhar stated, accusing both the IMC and the state government of shirking their fundamental responsibilities.
A Call for Action and Citizen Evidence
Singhar argued that the administration is narrowly focused on the aftermath of the Bhagirathpura incident, while the rest of the city lives under the same 'death sentence'. He shifted the onus of monitoring public health onto the opposition due to the administration's inaction.
In a significant move, the LoP appealed to Indore's citizens to collect their own water samples and present them to the government as concrete evidence of the life-threatening risk. He issued a clear ultimatum: if immediate corrective measures are not taken to ensure clean drinking water, the Congress party will launch a massive public agitation. The audit has starkly highlighted the chasm between Indore's 'cleanest city' image and the grim reality of its water supply.
