INDORE: In a scathing attack on the BJP-led governments, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has labeled Indore’s deadly water contamination crisis as the true ‘urban model’ the ruling party boasts about. The remarks came hours after a young woman died from consuming contaminated water in the city, often hailed as India’s cleanest.
The tragedy unfolded in Indore’s bustling Lasudia area, where residents have been battling poor water quality for weeks. Local authorities confirmed the victim, identified as 28-year-old Priya Sharma, succumbed to severe dehydration and organ failure triggered by E. coli bacteria in the municipal supply. Her family alleges repeated complaints to the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) went unheeded.
Rahul Gandhi, addressing a virtual rally, didn’t mince words. ‘This is the ‘urban model’ they keep talking about – one where people die drinking water from taps meant for development,’ he said, urging a thorough probe. He contrasted Indore’s plight with Congress-ruled states’ water safety initiatives.
Eyewitnesses described chaos at the local hospital as Priya’s condition deteriorated rapidly. ‘She complained of stomach pain after dinner, and by morning, she was gone,’ her brother recounted tearfully. Health officials have now tested samples from multiple areas, revealing alarming bacterial levels beyond safe limits.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s commercial hub with over 3 million residents, prides itself on Swachh Bharat rankings. Yet, this incident exposes cracks in infrastructure. Experts point to aging pipelines, sewage leaks, and monsoon overflows as culprits, worsened by rapid urbanization.
Political tensions are rising. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an investigation and suspended two IMC officials, but opposition leaders demand more. Rahul Gandhi’s viral post has sparked nationwide debate on urban governance failures.
As families stockpile bottled water and protests brew, Indore’s ‘model’ status hangs in balance. Will this death catalyze real change, or remain another political footnote? The coming days will tell.