Officials said the health crisis remains active, with 10 patients currently hospitalised, including one on ventilator support. Of those admitted, eight are suffering from pre-existing medical conditions, complicating treatment and recovery.
According to the district health department, contaminated water from damaged and leaking pipelines is suspected to be the primary cause of the outbreak, which triggered a surge in gastrointestinal infections across Bhagirathpura earlier this month. While emergency measures are in place, residents continue to express concern over the safety of the local water supply.
Authorities said alternate-day water supply has resumed in around 30% of the affected area after leakages were repaired and water samples tested. However, pipeline replacement work in the remaining 70% of the locality is still underway and is expected to be completed by the end of January.
Local councillor Kamal Waghela said the section where supply has resumed had a main pipeline laid two years ago. “After the incident, every joint and possible leakage point was rechecked. Water is being supplied cautiously on alternate days,” he said. He added that work on laying a new main pipeline in the remaining area is progressing at a fast pace.
To meet daily needs, the Indore Municipal Corporation is deploying more than 50 water tankers across Bhagirathpura each day. In areas affected by excavation and pipeline work, tankers have been positioned closer to residential lanes to reduce inconvenience to residents, officials said.
The handling of the crisis has drawn scrutiny, particularly over the official acknowledgment of fatalities. While 25 deaths had occurred earlier, the administration initially confirmed only four, later revising the figure to six. In a status report submitted to the Madhya Pradesh High Court, authorities acknowledged 15 deaths out of 21 cases at the time. The next status report is scheduled for January 27.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hasani said patients admitted across hospitals are being closely monitored. Several are battling serious complications including multi-organ dysfunction, encephalopathy, liver inflammation and neurological disorders, though some patients recovering from diarrhoea are expected to be discharged soon.
Health officials said water testing and medical surveillance will continue until the situation stabilises and residents regain confidence in the public water supply.
