A non-governmental organisation has made a serious allegation against the authorities in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, claiming that they ignored critical findings from a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. This negligence, the NGO asserts, is linked to the recent tragic deaths in the city due to suspected water contamination.
NGO Points to Pre-Existing Warnings in Audit Report
The NGO, Jeevan Suraksha Jangra Manch, has brought to light a CAG report from 2022 that reportedly flagged significant issues with the drinking water supply system in Indore. According to the organisation, the audit had uncovered alarming deficiencies in water quality testing and treatment processes managed by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).
The report allegedly pointed out that water samples were not being tested as per the required standards and frequency, potentially allowing contaminated water to enter the supply chain. Despite these red flags raised by the country's top audit body, the NGO claims that the municipal and state authorities failed to take corrective action, setting the stage for a public health disaster.
The Recent Tragedy and Official Response
The allegations come in the wake of a distressing incident in the Sai Bagh colony under the Juni Indore ward, where several residents fell severely ill after consuming water. The community reported symptoms consistent with waterborne diseases. Tragically, this episode led to the deaths of at least three individuals, including two children.
Following public outcry, the Indore Municipal Corporation acknowledged the problem and initiated an investigation. Municipal officials stated that a leak in a sewage line was found near the drinking water pipeline, which likely caused the contamination. The IMC also announced that it had cleaned and chlorinated the water tanks in the affected area and was conducting extensive water testing across the city.
Demands for Accountability and Systemic Reform
The Jeevan Suraksha Jangra Manch is not letting the matter rest with mere statements. The organisation has submitted a formal complaint to the Collector, demanding a thorough and impartial probe into the entire incident. They are calling for strict action against the officials responsible for the alleged oversight and negligence.
Furthermore, the NGO is pushing for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the city's water supply infrastructure. Their core argument is that the deaths were not merely an accident but a preventable failure of governance, highlighted years in advance by the CAG. They stress that ensuring safe drinking water is a fundamental duty of the civic body, and any lapse must be met with serious consequences.
This incident has sparked fear and anger among residents of Indore, a city often lauded for its cleanliness. It raises urgent questions about the gap between audit findings and their implementation on the ground, and the very real human cost of administrative inaction.
