Indore battles rat menace as 1,100 bite cases in 6-month:From hospitals, airport to car fires, crisis deepens with infant deaths, bridge collapse; cleanest city loses crores

Despite retaining the title of India’s cleanest city, Indore in 2025 found itself battling a menace so persistent and widespread that the city increasingly appeared to be searching for its own Pied Piper, someone who could lead the rats out before they hollowed the city from within. Across the year, rodents stopped being a background nuisance and became a visible civic crisis, gnawing through neonatal wards, bridges, statues, vehicles and the everyday sense of safety. What unfolded was not a string of accidents, but a warning about deeper failures in pest control, waste management, drainage upkeep and institutional response beneath Indore’s polished cleanliness narrative. Read the full news report.. Rat bites: A health emergency hiding in plain sight Data accessed from the Hukumchand Polyclinic, a major government hospital provides rabies vaccination, in Indore shows sustained reporting of rat-bite cases through the latter half of 2025. Doctors and health officials caution that this is only a partial reflection of the real situation, as private hospitals maintain separate records and a large number of minor bites are never reported. Public health experts estimate that over half of rat-bite cases remain undocumented, particularly in densely populated localities where victims seek treatment only when infections worsen. Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hasani said rat bites typically rise during monsoon and post-monsoon months. Doctors point out that the absence of a citywide surveillance mechanism means authorities respond reactively, often after serious incidents occur. When a NICU turned vulnerable: MY Hospital case The gravity of the rat menace came into sharp focus after a disturbing episode at MY Hospital, one of Madhya Pradesh’s largest public hospitals. In late August and early September, rats gnawed the fingers of two newborn girls admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In one case, four fingers were chewed off, a detail discovered by the family during funeral preparations. Both infants later died. Hospital authorities maintained that the deaths were due to severe pre-existing conditions such as pneumonia and septicaemia, and that the rat bites were minor. Families and civil society groups, however, alleged gross negligence, questioning how rodents could access a critical care unit. Subsequent inspections revealed widespread rat infestation inside hospital premises, with pest control measures reportedly not undertaken for nearly five years. The incident exposed serious lapses in infection control audits and hospital maintenance protocols, particularly in high-risk zones meant to protect newborns. Heritage and symbols eroded from below Rats soon began undermining Indore’s most visible public spaces. At Regal Square, extensive burrowing beneath the Mahatma Gandhi statue caused soil subsidence, turning the busy junction unsafe. The area lies close to the ageing Shastri Bridge and is a popular pigeon-feeding spot, where scattered grain provides an easy food source for rodents. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav acknowledged the link between bird feeding and the rat surge. Ravi Paliwal, who regularly feeds pigeons at the square, said the scale of infestation is visible. There are many rats at the rotary. They eat the feed kept for pigeons and are not even scared of humans. The mayor said similar strengthening work would be carried out at other vulnerable sites, including areas with high-mast lights and large national flagpoles, stressing that budget would not be a constraint when public safety is involved. Shastri Bridge: A structural warning In September, a section of the 75-year-old Shastri Bridge caved in, leaving a pit nearly 5 by 6 feet wide. Civic engineers attributed the collapse to extensive rat infestation that hollowed out the foundation over time. Shastri Bridge damage Urban planners warn that similar rodent activity beneath roads, drains and older bridges could pose serious risks if left unchecked. From nibbled wires to burning cars The rat menace has also translated into heavy financial losses for vehicle owners across Indore. In one alarming incident near Bangali Square, a moving car caught fire after rats chewed through electrical wiring, causing a short circuit. The driver escaped moments before flames engulfed the vehicle. Automobile service centres say such cases are no longer rare. Vishal Pamnani, Vice-President of the Indore Auto Dealers Association, said rat damage has become a routine complaint across brands. He added that modern vehicles, with dense electrical systems, are particularly vulnerable, making even minor nibbling costly. Ashok Patidar of Patidar Motors said the danger goes beyond repair bills. Umesh Patil said the scale of the problem has forced insurers to adapt. Bites beyond homes: Airport and collapsing buildings The problem extended into unexpected spaces. In September, a software developer was bitten by a rat inside Indore airport’s departure hall. Despite the seriousness of the incident, rabies vaccination was unavailable at the airport, and the victim was administered only a tetanus shot. Days later, a 3-storey house collapsed in Ranipura. Residents said the building stood over a drainage line and suspected prolonged rat burrowing had hollowed out the structure from below, weakening its foundation. Doctors’ warning: rat bites are not minor injuries Medical professionals caution that rat bites should never be ignored. Dr Aman Yadav, MD (Medicine), said immediate treatment is essential. Doctors add that delayed treatment significantly increases risks, particularly for children, newborns and immunocompromised patients. A clean image under strain As 2025 draws to a close, Indore’s rat crisis stands in sharp contrast to its national cleanliness accolades. Beneath spotless roads and awards lies a fragile urban ecosystem marked by neglected drains, unchecked food waste, unregulated bird feeding and irregular pest control. From neonatal wards to heritage landmarks and burning cars, rats have gnawed through more than wires and soil, they have exposed the cost of overlooking fundamentals. The challenge now is not cosmetic fixes, but sustained, citywide pest management before the damage runs deeper and becomes irreversible.