Indore: Dismissing Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari’s allegation that 90% of the city’s water is toxic, mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava visited Sudama Nagar on Monday and publicly drank tap water from listed households. Terming the allegations “false and misleading,” Bhargava criticised Patwari for attempting to malign Indore’s reputation using a three-month-old report.
Background of the Controversy
Patwari had previously asserted that Sudama Nagar’s water was unfit for human consumption based on a testing sample. He claimed that 240 samples were tested, but details for only 130 were released. Bhargava countered that local residents have safely consumed Narmada pipeline water for months without registering municipal complaints. He challenged the Congress to provide the remaining testing locations for administrative inspection.
Mayor’s Demonstration
During his visit, Bhargava drank tap water from multiple households in Sudama Nagar to demonstrate its safety. He emphasised that the Narmada pipeline water meets all quality standards and that the allegations were based on an outdated report. The mayor urged citizens to rely on official water quality reports rather than unverified claims.
Action Against Water Tanker Misuse
In a separate development, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) commissioner Kshitij Singhal penalised two private firms a total of Rs 1 lakh for utilising contracted municipal water tankers for commercial purposes. During inspections, officials intercepted two unauthorised deliveries. A tanker was caught supplying water to a hotel in Ratan Lok Colony, while another was found delivering water to a girls’ hostel in Bhagyashree Colony.
Penalties and Warnings
Both firms were fined Rs 50,000 each. Singhal reiterated that contracted water resources must solely serve public needs in designated zones, warning that future commercial diversions would face strict legal penalties. The IMC has intensified monitoring to prevent misuse of municipal water supplies.
These actions underscore the municipal corporation’s commitment to ensuring clean water access and accountability. Citizens are encouraged to report any irregularities in water distribution to the IMC helpline.
