Drinking water tragedy shocks Bhagirathpura residents:Municipal Corporation fails to provide explanation for deaths; MP High Court seeks urgent answers on negligence

On Tuesday, the High Court heard the case of deaths caused by contaminated water in Bhagirathpura. The corporation stated that contaminated water was mixing into the line due to toilets there. It has been rectified. On this, the division bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi asked, “Are you claiming 100%?” To this, the corporation replied that not only toilets, but there are some other reasons as well. There are narrow lanes, and drainage and water lines run side-by-side. The court again questioned, “Are you also claiming with certainty that people died due to the mixing of drainage water?” The corporation did not provide any answer to this. At the last hearing, there was confusion between the Additional Advocate General and the Chief Secretary regarding the death figures. Senior Advocates Ajay Bagadia, Manish Yadav, Ritesh Inani, and Anil Ojha are representing the petitioners. Court asked CS – You are reading your own report here, what is the system for complaints? Tell us. Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, who joined via video conferencing, reiterated that water hearings are being held every week. Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Department, Sanjay Dubey, is taking daily reports. The High Court questioned that this is just you reading your own report. Our question is that complaints of contaminated water are coming to light across the city. If someone wants to file a complaint, what is the system for that? The CS said that there is CM Helpline, water hearing, and 311 app. Even after this, if the Court wishes, we can form an additional committee. Now Awake: Committee Formed After Reprimand Following the High Court’s displeasure, the state government formed a state-level inquiry committee. Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration, Sanjay Kumar Shukla will be the chairman. Principal Secretary, Public Health Engineering, P. Narahari, and Commissioner, Directorate of Urban Administration and Development, Sanket Bhondwe have been made members. Commissioner, Indore Division, Sudam Khade has been nominated as member-secretary. The committee will submit its inquiry report to the state government within one month. Delayed: Additional Collector’s report not received Right at the beginning of the case, ACS Neeraj Mandloi and Sanjay Dubey had arrived here. The Municipal Commissioner was removed only after discussions with the responsible officials and a visit to Bhagirathpura. The Additional Commissioner and Superintending Engineer were also suspended. Collector Shivam Verma had asked Additional Collector Panwar Navjeevan Vijay to conduct an inquiry, but that report has not been received yet. The ICMR team has already submitted its report at the government level.