Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday warned the Opposition Congress against “playing politics” over the deaths of residents after drinking contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura, calling the loss of lives a moment for solidarity, not point-scoring.
Days after at least 15 people died after drinking contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, Yadav, who was in the city to inaugurate Rs 800 crore worth of projects to augment Indore’s drinking water system, said that while constructive criticism strengthens democracy, politicising human suffering is “wholly inappropriate”.
“We have felt this testing time. But if you play politics over dead bodies, Indore will not tolerate it,” Yadav said.
The chief minister said the tragedy highlighted the need to strengthen Indore’s water system and claimed the state had already begun corrective work. He said that while the immediate focus was on rescue and relief, long-term upgrades would be prioritised to prevent similar incidents.
Chief Minister Yadav outlined key features of the project, including a 1,650 MLD intake well at the villages of Jalud and Bhakalay, construction of 2,235 mm-diameter raw and clear water pumping mains, a 400 MLD modern water treatment plant, and a 12 MLD break pressure tank for water pressure regulation.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said that, “keeping Indore’s future water requirements in mind, a Rs 1,100-crore plan was expanded with foresight to Rs 2,400 crore.” He stated that the project includes 10 years of operation and maintenance (O&M), ensuring a long-term, safe and high-quality drinking water supply. Once completed, the project will effectively meet Indore’s present and future drinking water needs and will prove to be a milestone in providing clean, adequate and reliable water to the city.
