Parliament questions Indore’s tap water contamination:Congress Rajya Sabha MP demands govt response; opposition plans gherao and protest in Madhya Pradesh Assembly

The reputation of Indore as India’s cleanest city has come under scrutiny following deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Bhagirathpura. The issue has escalated into a major political controversy. Congress MPs raise issue in Rajya Sabha Dr. Syed Nasir Hussain, a Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, questioned the government about the city’s sanitation and water supply systems. The Minister of Jal Shakti is scheduled to respond in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, February 2. Earlier, Opposition Leader in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had promised during his Indore visit that the matter would be raised in Parliament. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari has also stated that the issue will be raised in the upcoming assembly session starting February 16. Questions on sanitation and sewage failures Dr. Hussain asked why Indore’s local sanitation and sewage system failed, leading to sewage-contaminated water entering drinking water pipelines. He also sought to know whether the government was aware of reports that deaths and widespread illness occurred in Bhagirathpura in January 2026 due to consumption of contaminated water. City administration under pressure Following the parliamentary questions, the Indore Municipal Corporation and administrative departments were on alert on Friday, preparing responses for submission by the evening. The questions are listed under Rajya Sabha Question No. S-1137. The matter is already under consideration in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, where officials have faced strict scrutiny. Now, with Parliament also raising questions, authorities are taking extra precautions, fearing that any lapses in their responses could be used for political attacks and damage Indore’s “clean city” brand image. Congress plans political action Following Rahul Gandhi’s instructions, the Congress party plans to raise the issue in the state assembly during the budget session starting February 16, possibly through a suspension motion. The party claims the problem is not limited to Indore or a single ward, but reflects a statewide failure in water supply systems. Despite spending hundreds of crores, residents are unable to access safe drinking water, which Congress leaders call a major failure of the government. Allegations of “showpiece measures” against BJP Congress has accused the BJP of taking only symbolic action. Rahul Gandhi personally met victims to hear their grievances, while no chief minister or senior BJP leader has visited the affected areas, according to the party. State Congress Chief Jitu Patwari stated that the assembly discussion will focus on holding the government accountable for deaths caused by contaminated water and questioning why no action has been taken against the responsible officials of the Urban Development and Housing Department so far.