Former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh intensified his attack on the state government Friday, insisting on the full disclosure of reports into the deadly Bhagirathpura water contamination crisis. The event has exposed glaring lapses in urban water management, leaving the public baying for answers.
What began as complaints of bad taste in water quickly escalated into a public health emergency in Bhopal’s Bhagirathpura locality. Scores of families were struck down by waterborne diseases, overwhelming local clinics and forcing emergency tankers to be deployed. The death toll stands at five, with hundreds still under treatment.
Speaking to reporters, Singh didn’t mince words: ‘The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government must table all investigation reports in the public domain without delay. Hiding facts is criminal negligence.’ He pointed to preliminary findings indicating sewage mixing with drinking water lines, a preventable fiasco.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture: children collapsing in streets, parents rushing to hospitals in panic. The municipal corporation’s response was criticized as tardy, with clean water reaching affected areas only after media spotlight.
Singh connected the dots to broader governance failures, referencing unchecked urbanization and poor maintenance of aging pipelines. He demanded not just reports but also strict action against guilty officials, including suspension of the Bhopal municipal commissioner.
The Congress high command has echoed Singh’s call, planning statewide protests if transparency isn’t forthcoming. Meanwhile, affected residents formed an action committee, vowing legal recourse for justice and adequate relief.
Health experts warn that without addressing contamination sources, such tragedies will recur. The government faces a litmus test: prioritize public safety or political damage control? As monsoon approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Madhya Pradesh’s vulnerable communities.