A team from the National Institute of Bacteriology, Kolkata, arrived in Indore and started collecting water samples directly from Bhagirathpura. Officials said the team would conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify the bacteria responsible and trace how the contamination spread through the water supply network.

As part of the emergency medical response, National Health Mission (NHM) Director Saloni Sidana reviewed treatment arrangements in the city. She said 15 doctors from different districts had been deployed to assist local hospitals, while additional medicines and rapid diagnostic kits had been ordered. On Saturday evening, 12 critically ill patients were shifted to the intensive care unit at Bombay Hospital to ensure concentrated care.

The worsening crisis also spilled into the political arena, triggering clashes between Congress and BJP workers during a Congress fact-finding visit to Bhagirathpura. BJP workers opposed the visit, raising slogans against the inquiry committee, leading to a scuffle in which footwear was allegedly thrown at former minister Sajjan Singh Verma. Police intervened and detained Verma, MLA Mahesh Parmar, State Women’s Congress president Reena Borasi, City Congress president Chintu Choukse and other party leaders to restore order.

Senior officials continued inspections on the ground. A medical team from AIIMS Bhopal examined the suspected leakage site, while Collector Shivam Verma visited the locality along with municipal and district officials. In a move aimed at reassuring residents, the Collector drank water supplied by municipal tankers. Excavation work has begun to lay a new pipeline in the affected area, officials said.

Meanwhile, Congress state president Jitu Patwari announced plans for a statewide agitation from January 11 if Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya does not resign and FIRs are not filed against officials deemed responsible. Patwari criticised the ₹2 lakh compensation announced per death, calling it inadequate, and alleged that the transfer of four officers amounted to token action.

The state government has maintained that the contamination was caused by pipeline leakage and technical failures. Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat and Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava held a review meeting on Saturday, assigning responsibilities to officials to expedite corrective measures and prevent further outbreaks.

With investigations underway and hospitals still under pressure, authorities face growing demands for accountability and long-term safeguards to ensure safe drinking water in the city.