Indore's Clean City Myth: Water Deaths Expose Deeper Flaws

Tragic waterborne disease outbreaks in Indore during early January 2026, resulting in 7-17 deaths and hundreds hospitalized, have exposed deep flaws in India's approach to urban water safety. Residents reported contaminated tap water before the crisis escalated, with laboratory tests confirming faecal contamination. Investigations pointed to leaking drinking water pipelines laid dangerously close to sewer lines as the primary cause.

This incident underscores a critical issue: India's intermittent water supply systems and poorly managed infrastructure create vulnerabilities. When pipelines depressurize, they can draw in surrounding wastewater, especially where water and sewer lines are too close, a common problem due to unplanned urbanization and ageing infrastructure. Violations of established engineering and public health safeguards are not isolated incidents but systemic risks.

Indore's repeated recognition as India's 'cleanest city' through the Swachh Survekshan rankings is now questioned. These rankings prioritize visible cleanliness and waste management, often neglecting the integrity of underground water infrastructure and actual water quality. This focus on appearance over outcome, coupled with ambitious but sometimes unverified coverage goals like the Jal Jeevan Mission, risks scaling vulnerabilities and amplifying health risks across India.