Indore Health Crisis : MGM Medical College Report Confirms Contaminated Water in Bhagirathpura

Indore, Jan 2026 : The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College in Indore, tasked with analyzing water samples after the health crisis in Bhagirathpura, submitted its report to authorities on Thursday, confirming that contaminated water was behind the illness and fatalities in the area.

Indore Chief Health and Medical Officer (CHMO) Dr. Madhav Hasani stated that the college’s laboratory analysis revealed the water supply in Bhagirathpura was contaminated due to a leakage in the local pipeline. “The exact level of contamination and the precise cause of deaths are still under investigation,” he added.

Dr. Hasani informed that over 8,500 people were medically examined on Thursday alone. Of these, 338 new patients were identified across more than 1,700 households in the affected area. All newly detected patients received primary treatment at their homes.

“Currently, 272 patients are admitted in various hospitals. Out of them, 72 have been discharged as of January 1, while 201 remain hospitalized, including 32 in intensive care units,” Dr. Hasani said.

Authorities are awaiting further clarity on the MGM College findings, which will be presented in a status report before the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday. The report follows directions issued by a divisional bench comprising Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta and Justice B.P. Sharma during a public interest litigation hearing related to the incident. The bench had instructed the state government and Indore Municipal Corporation to submit a detailed status report by January 2.

The total number of casualties remains uncertain. While the state government has officially confirmed seven deaths, media reports indicate that up to 14 people may have died between December 21, 2025, and January 1, 2026.

In the meantime, senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Urban Affairs and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya distributed cheques to the families of the seven confirmed deceased. Each family received an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh, as announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday night.

The MGM College report and ongoing investigations are expected to guide further preventive measures and remedial actions to ensure the safety of the water supply in Bhagirathpura and prevent similar incidents in the future.