Indore’s Bhagirathpura water turns deadly, ground reality grim:14 dead, over 150 hospitalised as open sewers, filthy supply expose years of civic neglect

More than 14 people have died and over 150 residents are hospitalised in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area after consuming contaminated drinking water. While official records list these figures, a walk through the narrow lanes of Bhagirathpura suggests the crisis is far deeper. Open sewer chambers, foul stench, and murky water have turned daily life into a nightmare for thousands of families. Even three days after the tragedy, fear, illness, and grief continue to haunt the locality. Every home tells the same story: Illness everywhere For the past five days, health workers, politicians, and municipal officials have been visiting Bhagirathpura, assuring action and distributing advisories. However, when the Bhaskar team visited the area, the ground reality painted a much bleaker picture. In almost every house, someone was ill. Residents repeatedly pointed towards their kitchens, where water was being boiled continuously. “We are drinking boiled water, but still everyone in the house is sick,” residents said. Some houses were found locked, not because families had fled, but because all members were admitted to hospitals. Five-month-old Avyaan: A life lost too soon The most heart-wrenching loss is that of five-month-old Avyaan Sahu, whose death has shaken the entire colony. Born after years of prayers, Avyaan was the centre of his family’s world. His mother, Sadhana Sahu, a government school teacher, took meticulous care of her son. Since the baby was on formula milk, she would add a little water to thin it — unaware that the water itself was poisoned. Two to three days ago, Avyaan developed diarrhoea. Initially, the family thought it was routine and consulted a child specialist. Medicines were started, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. He became lethargic and unresponsive. In panic, the family rushed him to a private hospital. At 5 am, doctors declared him dead. ‘Everyone in my house is sick’: A mother’s unending grief When reporters reached Avyaan’s home, grief filled every corner. More than 24 hours after losing her child, Sadhana had not eaten. Her eyes were vacant, her voice trembling. “Everyone in the house is sick, my husband, my mother-in-law, even guests who came to mourn,” she cried. “Now officials are saying drink boiled water. Where were they earlier?” Overcome by grief, Sadhana fainted repeatedly. Regaining consciousness, she asked one question over and over: “Who will bring my son back?” Ambulances, sirens and suffering everywhere Bhagirathpura, home to nearly 2,000–2,500 families, has been tense for days. Police deployment was visible near the local outpost, while crowds of patients gathered outside Sanjeevani Clinic and the Municipal Corporation office. Ambulances moved in and out 12–15 times a day, ferrying patients with severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and weakness. Parents ran carrying children in their arms; elderly women leaned on family members for support. Anganwadi workers went door-to-door advising residents to boil water, even as the sound of ambulance sirens echoed through the streets. ‘Someone is sick in every house’ Residents narrated harrowing experiences. Satish Jungle said, “My wife and I have had unbearable stomach pain for three days. Medicines aren’t helping. The first buckets of water that come out are completely black.” In another lane, a young woman named Kashish, recently discharged from hospital, lay weak on her bed. Nearby, an open sewer chamber emitted an unbearable stench. Open chambers, overflowing filth Lakshmibai showed the reporters the back of her house. “There’s an open chamber behind my home. Its filth flows inside. The smell never goes away,” she said. Even after cleaning, the stench remained overpowering. Deepak, another resident, pointed to an overflowing sewer and said angrily, “No one comes to clean it. When it overflows, the entire street fills with filth. How are we supposed to live like this?” Dirty water: A year-round curse Kamini Kumawat said illness in Bhagirathpura is not new. “Someone is always sick here. Right now, everyone in my house is ill. My mother-in-law is in the ICU,” she said. Another resident, Nilesh Sarodia, showed a video of tap water flowing black in the morning. “Even after it looks clean, when we filter it, white worms come out. We are forced to drink this water,” he said. Beyond numbers: A failure of the system Bhagirathpura’s tragedy is no longer just about contaminated water. It reflects years of administrative neglect, broken infrastructure, and ignored warnings. While officials debate figures and conduct inspections, families mourn their dead, children lie hospitalised, and residents continue boiling poisoned water — hoping it won’t claim another life.