Madhya Pradesh: National Green Tribunal Orders Statewide Probe Into Drinking Water Contamination

Madhya Pradesh: The Central Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal has taken serious note of the growing drinking water contamination crisis in Madhya Pradesh and has ordered the formation of a high-level investigative committee. This decisive action follows alarming reports of deaths caused by consumption of polluted water, particularly in Indore, which is known as the commercial capital of the state. The tribunal’s intervention reflects rising concerns about public health, environmental governance, and administrative accountability.

Background of the Tribunal’s Intervention

The order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Shiv Kumar Singh, Judicial Member, along with Ishwar Singh, Expert Member, after hearing a petition filed by environmental activist Kamal Kumar Rathi. The petition highlighted systemic failures in managing sewage and drinking water infrastructure across several cities of Madhya Pradesh. The tribunal clearly fixed responsibility on the state government, the Pollution Control Board, and local urban bodies for failing to ensure safe drinking water to citizens.

Serious Findings on Water Quality in Urban Areas

According to submissions made during the hearing, water bodies in Bhopal were found to have extremely high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, reportedly around 1600 units, which is far beyond acceptable safety limits. It was pointed out that leaking sewage pipelines are directly contaminating drinking water supply lines. This situation was described as a direct violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life and personal safety, including access to clean water.

Formation of a High-Level Investigation Committee

Considering the gravity of the issue, the tribunal constituted a six-member expert committee to assess the ground reality and recommend corrective measures. The committee includes a technical expert nominated by the director of IIT Indore, representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board in Bhopal, senior officials from the state environment department, the urban administration and development department, and the water resources department. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board will act as the nodal agency. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within six weeks.

Directions to District Administrations

To ensure immediate implementation of remedial steps, the tribunal has directed that copies of its order be circulated to all district collectors and municipal commissioners across the state. This move aims to ensure that local authorities act without delay to prevent further loss of life and deterioration of water quality.

Indore Water Contamination Incident

The tribunal took special note of the severe contamination incident in Indore during the last week of December 2025. Residents of the Bhagirathpura area reportedly received highly polluted drinking water through municipal pipelines. This resulted in a widespread outbreak of water-borne diseases, forcing mass hospitalisation. Several patients required intensive care, and the incident tragically led to multiple deaths, including those of infants and elderly individuals.

Statewide Measures for Safe Drinking Water

The green tribunal issued a comprehensive set of directions aimed at ensuring access to clean drinking water throughout Madhya Pradesh. These include the development of a robust Management Information System and a dedicated mobile application to provide real-time water quality reports, supply schedules, and grievance redressal mechanisms for citizens.

Infrastructure Improvement and Technical Reforms

The tribunal emphasized the need for GIS-based mapping of drinking water pipelines and sewage networks to identify points where contamination is occurring. Mandatory implementation of pre-chlorination, post-chlorination, and aeration processes was directed to improve water purification standards. All overhead tanks and underground sumps must remain functional, regularly cleaned, and properly chlorinated.

Urban Planning, Water Conservation, and Enforcement

Pipelines must be repaired on a war footing to prevent leakages and transmission losses. Encroachments around natural water sources such as ponds, wells, and stepwells are to be removed immediately. Keeping in mind seasonal water scarcity between March and July, the tribunal directed temporary suspension of construction activities and implementation of ward-wise alternate day water supply. Revival of public wells, mandatory rainwater harvesting in government and private buildings, installation of water meters, and preparation of emergency tanker supply plans were also ordered.

Strict punitive action has been prescribed for non-compliance, and authorities have been asked to issue clear guidelines to citizens regarding responsible water usage. Additionally, all dairies housing more than two animals within city limits must be relocated within four months, and immersion of idols in drinking water sources has been completely banned.

Next Steps in the Case

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing of the case for March 30, where progress on compliance and the findings of the expert committee will be reviewed. The outcome of this case is expected to play a crucial role in shaping future water management and environmental governance policies in the state.