Key Points:
- 25 people infected with jaundice in Mhow’s Patti Bazaar and Moti Mahal areas over 10-15 days
- Contaminated water supply originated from Chander Marg, spreading to Moti Mahal
- Drinking water pipeline runs through open drains, leaking at multiple points and mixing with sewage
- Six children from one family affected, including a 12th grader who missed pre-board exams
- Three children currently hospitalized, elderly patient referred to Indore with liver infection
- Local MLA Usha Thakur visited victims, ordered immediate action and technical inspection
MHOW, INDORE: A public health emergency has unfolded in this cantonment town as contaminated water continues to claim victims, with approximately 25 residents contracting jaundice and other waterborne diseases in the Patti Bazaar and Moti Mahal localities over the past fortnight. The crisis, which began along Chander Marg, has now spread through the water distribution network, leaving families struggling with illness and medical expenses.
The outbreak has disproportionately affected children, who comprise the majority of cases. In a particularly devastating instance, six siblings from a single family have fallen ill, ranging from 11-year-old Vani to 19-year-old Bhavesh. Alina, a 12th-grade student preparing for board examinations, was forced to miss her critical pre-board tests due to the infection. Nine-year-old Lakshita and 12-year-old Geetansh are also undergoing treatment for jaundice, their education disrupted by the preventable health crisis.
Infrastructure Failure and Health Impact
Residents have identified the root cause as a catastrophic failure in water infrastructure. The municipal drinking water pipeline runs through open drains at several points along its route. Multiple leaks in the aging pipes allow raw sewage from these drains to seep into the potable water supply, resulting in muddy, foul-smelling water flowing from household taps. Residents report that the contamination is visible and odorous, yet the supply has continued unabated for weeks.
The health impact extends beyond jaundice. Dr. Yogesh Singare, Block Medical Officer of Mhow, Indore, confirmed that health department teams are conducting door-to-door surveys to identify additional cases and contain the outbreak. Currently, three children remain hospitalized for treatment, while numerous other patients are receiving home-based medical care. The situation turned critical for 70-year-old Jagdish Chauhan, who developed a severe liver infection and had to be referred to a specialized hospital in Indore for advanced treatment.
Political Response and Accountability
The crisis prompted immediate political attention when local MLA Usha Thakur conducted a surprise visit to Patti Bazaar and Moti Mahal on Thursday night, meeting directly with affected families. Thakur expressed outrage over the municipal negligence and issued stern directives to the health department and municipal council officials. She demanded immediate provision of free treatment and medicines to all victims, an emergency halt to the contaminated water supply, and deployment of alternative drinking water arrangements through tankers.
Thakur further assured residents that a comprehensive technical inspection of the entire water supply line would be conducted within 48 hours to identify all leak points and develop a permanent solution. She warned officials of administrative consequences if the situation was not resolved promptly, noting that the outbreak represented a failure of basic governance in a town that houses both civilian and military populations.
Latest Updates and Ongoing Investigations
As of Friday morning, municipal engineers have initiated a preliminary assessment of the pipeline network, while the health department has set up a temporary medical camp in Patti Bazaar. Water samples collected from multiple points have been sent to Indore’s state laboratory for bacterial analysis, with results expected within 72 hours. The district administration is considering filing negligence charges against maintenance contractors if evidence of ignored repair requests emerges. Meanwhile, local activists have called for a thorough audit of Mhow’s entire water infrastructure, citing similar contamination issues in nearby Gautampura and Manpur that were reported last year but allegedly left unresolved.
