Tension grips Bhagirathpura again: Elderly’s death sparks protest; kin blame contaminated water

INDORE: Tensions flared in the Bhagirathpura area on Saturday following the death of an elderly resident, with family members and local residents blaming contaminated water while officials cited chronic illness.

Aggrieved residents placed the body of the deceased on the road and staged a blockade raising slogans against the local BJP corporators and the local administration. The blockade caused traffic congestion on the road near Bhagirathpura Bridge for nearly 90 minutes.


The deceased has been identified as Badri Prashad.

The family alleged that despite a lapse of 24 hours since the death, no senior official visited them. Badri Prashad's son Shailendra said the family was struggling with extreme poverty and lacked funds for the final rites. He also said his wife, Kanchan, passed away 2 months ago during a similar period of water contamination issues in the area.

"The administration refuses to link these deaths to the water, but my father was healthy before this sudden illness," he claimed.

Congress leaders, including leader of opposition in Indore municipal corporation, Chintu Choukse and Congress corporator Raju Bhadoriya, joined the sit-in and demanded immediate financial assistance for the family.

The blockade was lifted after SDM Nidhi Verma and ACP Vinod Dixit reached the spot. The SDM assured the family that clean drinking water supply would be prioritised in the area. She also said a formal proposal for financial assistance would be sent to the govt based on a detailed medical report from the CMHO regarding the deaths of Badri Prasad and Kanchan. After two deaths were reported recently in the diarrhoea-affected Bhagirathpura area, chief medical and health officer Dr Madhav Hasani issued a statement saying Badri Prasad's death was not caused by waterborne diseases. Dr Hasani said the patient had chronic Tuberculosis (TB), diabetes and hypertension, along with a past angioplasty.

"He was admitted to Aurobindo Hospital due to respiratory distress. Based on currently available medical facts, the probable cause of his death is considered to be his chronic and serious pre-existing illnesses. No direct link was found between his death and any type of waterborne disease," the CMHO said. Dr Hasani also addressed the death of 82-year-old Vidyabai, who died on Thursday. While she reported vomiting and diarrhoea on Jan 10, officials said her death followed a hip fracture from a fall and other age-related complications. "Linking these deaths to contaminated water solely based on complaints of vomiting and diarrhoea is scientifically incorrect," Dr Hasani added.

Currently, 10 patients from Bhagirathpura remain hospitalised with waterborne symptoms, with 1 on a ventilator and 1 in the ICU. The IMC is laying new main pipelines in 70% of the area to prevent further contamination, while the remaining 30% is being supplied with tested water via tankers or alternate-day Narmada supply.


Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Republic Day Wishes, Messages and speech!