Indore water crisis deepens after Bhagirathpura tragedy:Devguradia borewell water turns toxic, foul smelling; residents report major health problems

The water contamination crisis in Indore has still not ended after the Bhagirathpura incident. After Bhagirathpura, the situation has now become serious in the Devguradia panchayat area, where residents are facing an acute water crisis. Groundwater turning toxic amid extreme heat Amid severe heat, locals are struggling not only with water shortage but also with highly contaminated water supply. Leakage of polluted water from the trenching ground is reportedly affecting groundwater in nearby colonies, making borewell water unsafe. The situation is such that borewell water is foul-smelling and extremely dirty, making it unusable for bathing, washing or drinking. Residents say the water is especially dangerous for children. It is worth noting that in December 2025, around 35 people died in Bhagirathpura due to contaminated water. Health issues: hair fall, skin diseases, itching Local women have reported severe hair fall due to the use of contaminated water, with hair coming out in clumps while combing. Similar complaints are being reported among men as well. During ground visits, “Dainik Bhaskar” found that borewell water in the area is highly polluted, foul-smelling and appears yellowish, like diesel. 23-year-old Anil Chaudhary said that RO filters in many houses get damaged within two to three months. He added that he feels he is going bald due to this water. Doctors suspect high levels of TDS (total dissolved solids) in the water. Allegations on CNG Plant and Trenching Ground Abhishek Jat said a large CNG plant is located in the area where waste was earlier buried underground on a large scale. He alleged that contaminated water from the plant is being discharged into nearby ponds and seepage is entering the ground, continuously polluting groundwater. He added that in areas like Devguradia, Patthar Mundla, Mansarovar and Shri Ji Valley, borewell water has already become contaminated. Several parts of Rau assembly constituency are also facing water crisis. Residents claim the water has extremely high TDS and salinity, which is damaging household pipelines and fittings. Diesel-like layer in water, utensils turning yellow Omprakash Jat said waste is being burned at the trenching ground in Ward 9. He alleged that cattle are consuming plastic waste and dying, while decomposed waste is seeping into the soil, turning water into a diesel-like appearance. Residents say utensils are turning yellow and a thick layer is forming on buckets and containers due to the water. Itching, rashes and other diseases Several residents, including Geetabai, Vijay Nath and Dariyav Nath, said contaminated water is causing itching, rashes and other skin-related problems. People are forced to use the same water despite health risks. Manisha Malviya from Mansarovar Colony said her hair has been falling continuously for two years. Ramlata Chauhan said the water even spoils tea and causes skin rashes. Drainage water in boring, no action on complaints Sapna Salve said drainage water recently mixed with borewell supply, but no concrete action was taken despite complaints to the panchayat. Other residents also reported scaling in utensils and difficulty in cooking due to the water. Expensive tankers, increasing troubles Residents also said regular water tanker supply is not available, forcing them to spend ₹600–₹700 per tanker, adding financial stress. Warning of public movement PHE Executive Engineer Pratap Singh Bundela said teams are being sent to collect water samples from affected areas near Devguradia. He added that further action will be taken after test reports. Currently, the department does not have detailed information about all affected colonies. Locals have warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, they will launch a major protest and may even block Devguradia Road. They said their basic needs are being ignored. Dev Guradia Sarpanch Bhuribai Mahesh Vasuniya said complaints were earlier made to the district panchayat and PHE department. She said officials had visited and found high TDS levels during earlier sampling. She also said the matter is under process at higher levels. Serious Health Risks from Hard Water Dermatologist Dr. Mitesh Agrawal said hard water with high TDS contains high levels of calcium, magnesium and manganese, making it harmful for daily use. It can cause skin irritation, dryness, allergies, acne, and worsen conditions like eczema. It also leads to hair damage, dryness, dandruff and hair fall. He advised using water purification systems or at least alum treatment to reduce hardness.