According to the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), a total of 446 patients have been hospitalised, of whom 50 remain under treatment. Municipal vehicles are making repeated public announcements across Bhagirathpura, urging residents to boil and filter all water before use, including borewell and RO water.

Fear and uncertainty persist in the densely populated locality, where the contamination was first detected on December 29. Residents say they have become extremely cautious, avoiding direct consumption of water amid ongoing drainage line repair work, which has disrupted daily life and affected local businesses.

In response to the deteriorating situation, ration kits are being distributed to affected families. On Thursday morning, BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya, along with Mahamandaleshwar Ramgopaldas Maharaj and MLA Ramesh Mendola, launched a door-to-door ration distribution and public awareness drive. The kits include flour, pulses, rice, cooking oil, spices and essential groceries. Officials said tenants and households with multiple families are being provided separate kits.

Meanwhile, a team from the Malaria Department surveyed Bhagirathpura for waterlogging and mosquito breeding but found no major concerns. Residents were advised not to store drinking water for long periods and to keep containers covered and clean.

On the administrative front, Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal has ordered an accelerated campaign to improve water monitoring. Officials said geo-tracking of more than 2,250 government borewells has been completed, along with chlorination and testing of residual chlorine samples to ensure water safety.

The crisis has also taken a political turn. In Sanwer, Congress state president Jitu Patwari criticised the Indore Collector over his visit to the RSS office, questioning the neutrality of the administration.

Legal pressure is mounting as well. Bhagirathpura resident Ramoo Singh has filed a petition seeking registration of an FIR for culpable homicide not amounting to murder against officials allegedly responsible for the deaths. His counsel, Dilip Nagar, claimed contaminated water had been supplied for nearly two years and that pipeline replacement tenders were delayed despite earlier fatalities.

The court has directed the Banganga police to investigate and submit a report by January 24.