Among the at least ten people who lost their lives due to contaminated drinking water in Indore, one of the victims was a six-month-old infant named Avyan Sahu. The baby died after being fed packaged milk that had been mixed with tap water supplied to his locality. His death has drawn widespread attention because his parents had struggled for nearly a decade to conceive. Despite the state government announcing financial compensation for the victims’ families, Avyan’s relatives refused to accept it, stating that no amount of money could compensate for the loss of their child.
Avyan, the youngest among those affected, lived in Bhagirathpura’s Marathi Mohalla. Shortly after consuming the milk diluted with tap water, he developed severe vomiting and diarrhoea. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and despite efforts to save him, he passed away on December 29. Laboratory tests later confirmed that the water supplied to the area contained sewer bacteria, indicating serious contamination in the municipal water system.
Following the incident, officials confirmed that polluted water was responsible for the outbreak that has affected hundreds of residents. The Madhya Pradesh government announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died. However, Avyan’s family declined the compensation. His grandmother, Krishna Sahu, told PTI that no amount of money could replace their child. She said the family had not accepted any financial help, adding that their grief could not be eased by monetary support.
The incident has raised serious concerns about civic infrastructure in Indore, a city that has repeatedly been ranked as the cleanest in India. The deaths have cast doubt on the safety of its water supply system and the effectiveness of monitoring and maintenance measures meant to protect public health.
According to the family, Avyan’s birth came after years of medical treatment and prayers. They had made vows at Hussain Tekri Dargah, hoping for a child after nearly ten years of struggle. Their joy, however, was short-lived. His grandmother recalled that the baby had been healthy and growing well before suddenly falling ill. Initially, the family followed medical advice and administered medicines at home, but his condition worsened rapidly. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Since the child’s mother was unable to breastfeed, the family relied on packaged milk and milk powder mixed with municipal water. They believe the contaminated water was the direct cause of the illness that led to his death. This has heightened fears among residents who depend on the same water supply.
Residents of Bhagirathpura, particularly those living in the narrow lanes of Marathi Mohalla, expressed deep fear and distress. Locals told PTI that as many as 15 people may have died in the area over the past year due to similar waterborne illnesses, although official records confirm fewer deaths. Many households reported repeated cases of vomiting and diarrhoea, creating panic throughout the neighbourhood.
One resident, Anita Sen, said families were living in constant fear, especially those with young children. She urged the authorities to ensure clean and safe drinking water so that no other family has to suffer a similar tragedy. According to reports, more than 1,400 people have been affected in the past nine days alone. Health department data shows that 272 patients were admitted to hospitals, with several still undergoing treatment, some of them in critical condition.
A preliminary investigation suggested that sewage water entered the drinking water pipeline due to leakage. Indore receives its water from the Narmada River, and officials believe a fault in the pipeline system allowed contamination to occur. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that sewer leakages were responsible and assured that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Following the incident, a zonal officer of the civic body and an assistant engineer from the affected area were suspended. State Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that the number of new patients had begun to decline and assured that free treatment was being provided, especially since most affected families belonged to economically weaker sections.
The loss of ten lives due to contaminated drinking water has highlighted serious lapses in civic responsibility and infrastructure management. The tragedy is made even more painful by the death of a six-month-old child, whose passing has come to symbolize the human cost of negligence in essential public services.
