Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Umang Singhar has cornered the BJP government on the issue of groundwater pollution in Indore, citing the report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). He has said that the groundwater situation in Indore, which is promoted as the cleanest city in the country, is worrying and the report has exposed the reality of the government’s development model.
The Congress leader has said that this is not just a matter of water pollution but a serious issue to the health of millions of citizens. He alleged that due to the negligence of the departments whose responsibility is to provide safe drinking water, people are being forced to drink contaminated water. He has demanded immediate action from the Chief Minister on this matter.
Umang Singhar has said that according to the report of the Central Ground Water Board, the effect of sewerage has been found in the groundwater of many areas of Indore. He said that the presence of a large number of fecal coliform bacteria has been recorded in the samples taken in five areas including Bhagirathpura and Mahavir Nagar, which is an indication of sewage pollution. The presence of such bacteria makes groundwater undrinkable and increases the risk of diarrhea, typhoid and other water-borne diseases.
The Leader of Opposition has said that the report has also expressed fear of a possible threat to the Narmada water supply network. This raises the question of what the Municipal Corporation, Water Resources Department and other responsible agencies were doing over the years. Umang Singhar alleged that the government has been more busy promoting the city’s achievements rather than solving fundamental problems. He has demanded immediate intervention of the Chief Minister in this matter and said that strict action should be taken by fixing the accountability of the responsible officers and alternative arrangements for safe drinking water should be ensured in the affected areas. Let us tell you that some time ago, disease had spread on a large scale in Bhagirathpura area of Indore due to contaminated water and this issue had brought the entire state including Indore into disrepute across the country.
