Indore Toxic Water Tragedy: CM Orders Refund of Medical Bills as Death Toll Reaches Seven

The death toll in the toxic water contamination incident in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area has risen to seven, prompting swift intervention by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who has ordered a full refund of medical expenses incurred by affected families.

The Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure that no patient is charged for treatment, stating that any money already deposited at private hospitals must be returned. He also announced that the state government will bear all medical expenses of those affected by the outbreak.

The tragedy unfolded after sewage reportedly leaked into drinking water pipelines, contaminating the local water supply. More than 100 residents have fallen ill, suffering from severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration, overwhelming nearby healthcare facilities.

Local authorities confirmed that emergency medical teams were deployed immediately after reports of mass illness surfaced. Water supply from the affected pipelines has been halted, and alternate arrangements are being made while investigations continue to identify the exact point of contamination.

Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed the fatalities and said civic officials have been instructed to conduct a thorough inspection of the water distribution network. Health officials are monitoring patients closely, particularly children and elderly residents who remain most vulnerable.

The incident has sparked concern in Indore, a city that has held the national ‘cleanest city’ title for eight consecutive years, raising questions about urban infrastructure safety and water management systems.

State authorities have assured strict action against those found responsible and said long-term corrective measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.