Indore, January 17, 2026 – Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader in the Lok Sabha, visited Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday to meet with victims and families affected by the recent water contamination crisis that led to a severe outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea. Gandhi's visit underscores the gravity of the situation, where contaminated drinking water has led to multiple fatalities and widespread illness.
Gandhi met with patients at Bombay Hospital in Indore, listening to their experiences and offering support. He also visited Bhagirathpura, the area most severely impacted by the crisis, where he met with families who had lost loved ones.
Following his visits, Gandhi addressed the press, asserting that "Clean water is a public right". He criticized the government's failure to provide this basic necessity, particularly in a city like Indore, which is often lauded as one of India's cleanest. Gandhi questioned the effectiveness of the government's urban development model, stating that the situation in Indore demonstrates a clear failure to ensure safe drinking water for its citizens. He held the government responsible for providing clean water and reducing pollution, emphasizing that these responsibilities are not being met.
The water contamination issue in Indore came to light in late December 2025, when residents of Bhagirathpura began experiencing symptoms of waterborne diseases due to contaminated water supplied through municipal pipelines. The situation quickly escalated, leading to mass hospitalizations and fatalities, including infants and the elderly. Local residents reported the water had a foul smell and discoloration as early as October 2025, but their complaints were allegedly ignored.
Reports indicate that the contamination stemmed from sewage mixing with drinking water, often due to aging, corroded, or poorly laid water pipelines situated dangerously close to sewer lines. This allowed sewage to seep into household connections, posing a significant health risk.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognizance of the matter and has formed a high-level committee to investigate water contamination across Madhya Pradesh, in response to the Indore crisis. The NGT has directed that the committee submit its report within six weeks and has fixed accountability on the state government, Pollution Control Board, and local bodies.
The crisis has sparked a political row, with the Congress party attacking the BJP government for its alleged failure to provide clean drinking water despite being in power for over two decades. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari stated that the BJP was engaging in "blame and counter-blame" politics instead of addressing the crisis. He further added that the inability to provide safe drinking water in what is touted as "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's New India" raises serious questions.
The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) was aware of the risks posed by aging pipelines and had prepared a file to lay a new water pipeline in November 2024, but the project faced repeated delays. Work orders were not issued until late December 2025, after fatalities had already occurred.
The NGT is scheduled to hear the case again on March 30, 2026, and the high-level panel's report is expected to provide detailed recommendations to prevent future crises. In the interim, authorities have been instructed to install meters on domestic and commercial connections and to plan for water supply through tankers during emergencies.
