The incident has shocked the city, particularly because Bhagirathpura was showcased as a model ward by Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava during the three-year completion ceremony of his tenure. At a public event held in August 2025, the Mayor praised the ward’s development and cleanliness, honoured Councillor Kamal Waghela with a letter of appreciation, and urged other councillors to replicate Bhagirathpura’s model.

According to officials, the victims fell ill after consuming water supplied through pipelines that were later found to be contaminated with sewage. Health authorities confirmed that the cause of death in most cases was severe water-borne infection, with symptoms including jaundice, typhoid and acute gastroenteritis.

What has intensified the controversy is evidence that the contamination problem was known well before the tragedy. On February 29, 2024, Councillor Waghela had written to the Mayor, warning that residents were falling sick due to dirty water and that a 23-year-old woman had already died. Sources within the Indore Municipal Corporation said inspections conducted around that time revealed damaged pipelines and dangerously close alignment between Narmada water lines and drainage channels.

Despite these warnings, residents allege that no permanent corrective action was taken. Over the past three years, civic records show that nearly Rs 10 crore was spent on roads, water supply and drainage works in the ward, raising questions about execution, monitoring and quality control.

The opposition has seized upon the issue. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticised the Mayor in the state assembly, alleging misplaced priorities and demanding a thorough investigation into municipal functioning and contractor oversight.

Following the deaths, Mayor Bhargava expressed anger at municipal officials during a meeting with Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, stating that responsible officers failed to act on repeated warnings. He said systemic constraints prevented effective intervention, a claim disputed by opposition leaders.

As investigations continue, residents are demanding accountability from elected representatives and officials alike. The tragedy has cast a long shadow over Indore’s cleanliness accolades, underscoring how civic awards and public praise mean little if basic services like safe drinking water fail.