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Cholera Outbreak: Water Contamination Confirmed in Indore
23 Jul
Summary
- Cholera outbreak confirmed due to contaminated domestic water supply.
- NGT bench abstained from hearing due to pending high court case.
- Recommendations include replacing old pipelines and a new mobile app.
A cholera outbreak in Indore's Bhagirathpura locality, resulting in 15 fatalities, has been officially attributed to contamination within the domestic water supply. A joint committee established by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) confirmed the presence of fecal coliform in drinking water samples collected in late December 2025 and early January 2026.
Following these findings, the NGT's Bhopal-based bench on Thursday recused itself from hearing two petitions concerning accountability and compensation. The tribunal cited that the matter is already before the Indore bench of the high court, which has formed a judicial commission to investigate the incident. The high court has scheduled further hearings for September 16, 2026.
The joint committee has recommended comprehensive surveys to identify leakages and cross-connections within the water distribution network, aligning with Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) guidelines. It also advised the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) to replace old and damaged pipelines and develop a 24/7 helpline and mobile application for citizen complaints and water quality information.
Further recommendations include prioritizing the reduction of non-revenue water and ensuring water pipelines are not laid below sewer lines, with specific separation distances mandated by CPHEEO. The committee stressed adherence to guidelines preventing negative pressure in the system and advocated for a transition to a continuous, pressurized water supply to enhance service reliability and water quality.
