Lok Sabha Question No. 2123 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Water Contamination in Cities under AMRUT
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2123

TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 12, 2026

## WATER CONTAMINATION IN CITIES UNDER AMRUT

## NO. 2123.   SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  recent  cases  of  illness  and death  due  to  contaminated  water  in  Indore,  Dr.  Ambedkar  Nagar, Gandhinagar,  parts  of  NCR  and  other  cities  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  cases  of  illness  and  death  reported  due  to  water contamination in Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) cities during the last five years;
- (c) whether  any  compensation  has  been  provided  to  the  families  of victims of contaminated water in AMRUT cities and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of AMRUT cities where water quality testing has found contamination above permissible limits along with the details of the contaminants  detected,  the  effects  of  the  contamination  and  the action taken in this regard; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilised  for  water quality monitoring and treatment infrastructure under AMRUT during
- the last five years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a) to (e): Water is a State subject. The State Governments are responsible for monitoring, enforcement, and corrective action for drinking water  safety.  The  operation,  maintenance  and  replacement  of  old deteriorated pipelines is the responsibility of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ parastatals. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through  schematic  interventions/  advisories.  It  provides  financial  and technical support to the States through various schemes/ Missions such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0 for approved infrastructure projects. The State Government of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have informed that occurrence of drinking water  contamination  has  been  reported  from  Gandhinagar  Municipal Corporation  and  Balasinor  Municipality  in  Gujarat  and  urban  Indore Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh.

As  informed  by  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  on  28.12.2025, incidents of vomiting and diarrhoea were reported in the Bhagirathpura area which falls under Ward No. 11, Zone-4, Assembly Constituency Indore. The  State  Government  has  informed  that  immediately  upon  receiving information on 28.12.2025 regarding incidents of vomiting and diarrhoea in  Bhagirath Pura, Indore, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) along with  the  Health  Department and Public Health  Engineering Department initiated a joint and prompt response. First and foremost, all sick patients were attended to and the ones who were serious, were hospitalized in super-specialty Medical College and Private hospital of repute. Not so sick were attended to by Health and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) workers with door-to-door survey and distribution of Oral Rehydration  Solution  (ORS)  packets  and  Chlorine  tablets  for  Water disinfection. Water Supply through pipelines and borewells were completely stopped and water tankers were forced into service. Samples were taken from multiple supply points at user end to ascertain the type of contamination and sent to National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration  Laboratories  (NABL)  accredited  labs.  The  area  has  old pipelines dating 1997 and some of it is damaged. Municipal administration has identified the old stretches of pipeline in Bhagirathpura area and 9.5 km of pipelines has been laid before the incident. Thereafter, new contract for laying of 5.8 km pipeline has been awarded of which 0.965 km pipeline has been laid.

As informed by the State, 16 deaths have been verified by the Chief Medical & Health Officer/ Death Audit Committee of MGM Medical College, Indore. The State Government has provided ex-gratia financial assistance to the families of the deceased as per prevailing State norms. ₹ 40 lakh compensation was given to the deceased from Bhagirath Pura. Medical treatment to affected persons was provided free of cost in Government/ Private hospitals. In Bhagirath Pura, 35,421 households surveyed by health officials  in  which  1,64,942  people  were  screened.  454  patients  were admitted to hospital out of which 441 have been discharged. AIIMS Bhopal experts visited Indore on 03.01.2026 and shared protocol regarding the treatment during meetings and 24X7 medical facility has been ensured by the State.

The matter is sub judice vide Writ Petition no. 247 of 2026 and others in the Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore. Hon'ble High Court in  their  order  dated  27.01.2026  appointed  Justice  Sushil  Kumar  Gupta, former Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirath Pura, Indore. The terms of reference of the Commission include submission of report on  the  cause  of  contamination  and  provide  its  inputs  on public

health on matters such as number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water, nature of disease reported, adequacy of medical response and preventive measures, immediate steps required to  ensure  safe  drinking  water,  long-term  infrastructural  and  monitoring reforms, and identification and fixing responsibility upon the officers and officials  found  prima  facie  responsible  for  the  Bhagirathpura  water contamination  incident  and  suggest  guidelines  for  compensation  to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.

The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has also informed that Standard Operating Procedures have been issued to Urban Local Bodies to avoid contamination of water. About 14,181 leakages were detected so far out of which 12,634 leakages have been repaired. Out of 3,298 Over Head Tanks in the State, 3,109 have been cleaned. Similarly, out of 21,215 tubewells, 179 were found polluted and 86 tubewells were closed for use. Regular testing of quality of water is ensured. 656 water samples were found fail out of 80,976 samples, while action was taken at 588 points where  pollution  was  detected.  Issues  of  contamination  of  water  were resolved through 2,821 Jal Sunwai.

The Cantonment Board Mhow, Dr. Amedkar Nagar, Indore Distrrict has informed that in January, 2026, cases of Jaundice among children of Chander Marg, Patti Bazar area of Mhow Cantonment was reported in the media. Initially total 08 children were having symptom of Jaundice, out of which  one  was  confirmed  having  Hepatitis-A.    During  survey  12  other person were suspected from jaundice.  All required remedial measures were taken immediately. 02 dispensaries were established on spot with the help of District administration and water sample were taken from the residences of children having Jaundice, and also from Narmada supply and Borewells of the area. However, the testing report received on 24.01.2026 found  water  of  all  the  samples  within  the  acceptable  limits  on  all parameters. No death has been reported due to contaminated water has been  reported  in  Mhow  Cantt,  Dr.  Ambedkar  Nagar.  Treatment  and medicines were provided free of cost to the ill children and adults with the help of district administration.

As informed by State of Gujarat, in Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, a localized typhoid outbreak was detected on 29.12.2025 in Sectors 24, 26, 27, 28 and Adivada, affecting 233 persons, with no deaths. Contamination was identified within one week, and emergency response was initiated within one hour on the same day, including deployment of Rapid  Response  Teams,  medical  management,  intensive  surveillance, chlorination,  and  public  health  advisories.  In  Balasinor  Municipality, Mahisagar District, a Hepatitis outbreak from October 2025 due to leakage in  ageing  pipelines  adjacent  to  drains  led  to  465  cases,   nil   deaths, …4/-

detected  through  routine  surveillance  and  managed  through  pipeline repairs, super-chlorination, sealing of sources, alternate safe water supply and  administrative  oversight.  As  informed  by  State,  the  State  has established water quality monitoring systems at source and distribution levels, with mandatory testing protocols, automated chlorination at water distribution stations and borewells, routine bacteriological and chemical testing through accredited laboratories, and continuous surveillance for water quality monitoring and testing.

The  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh  has  informed  that  complaints  were received from Sector Delta-1 and Sector Alpha-2 of Greater Noida under the  Greater  Noida  Authority.  Immediate  inspection  revealed  leakage  in water connections in localized stretches, which were promptly rectified. Water  samples  collected  from  the  affected  areas  were  tested,  and laboratory  reports  received  so  far  indicate  conformity  with  prescribed drinking water quality standards. In Haryana, an incident was reported in a  private  colony  in  sector  70-70A,  Gurugram  in  December,  2025.  The master supply of water is provided by Gurugram Municipal Development Authority (GMDA). After enquiry by the coloniser, the water storage tanks of individual house owners were found unclean and the same were cleaned and issue resolved.

Under AMRUT/ AMRUT 2.0, the States/ UTs are empowered to select, appraise, prioritise and  implement  the  projects  as  per  their local requirements including augmentation/ rehabilitation of infrastructure as per Mission guidelines. Under AMRUT 2.0, cities have prepared City Water Balance Plans (CWBPs), which include as-is assessment of water supply systems which help cities/ ULBs to identify vulnerabilities and prioritise system-strengthening measures.

To  ensure  safe  drinking  water  supply  to  the  urban  households, AMRUT/AMRUT  2.0  supports,  rehabilitation  and  upgradation  of  water supply  network  and  creation/augmentation  of  Water  Treatment  Plants (WTPs) plants. Under AMRUT, a total of 73,520 km of water supply pipeline network has been laid or replaced. Under AMRUT 2.0, about 1.26 lakh km of water supply network has been approved in the sanctioned projects, of which 22,332 km pertains to replacement of the existing water supply network.  To  provide  drinkable  water  from  taps  under  AMRUT  2.0,  408 round  the  clock  projects  (24x7)  covering  1152  District  Metered  Area (DMAs) and benefitting around 16.72 lakh households have been approved to mitigate contaminations in intermittent water supply systems. So far, 6140 Million Litre per Day (MLD) of WTP capacity has been approved under AMRUT,  of  which,  5,330  MLD  WTP  capacity  has  been  created.  Under AMRUT 2.0, 11,393 MLD WTP capacity has been approved so far. These treatment plants are generally equipped with inhouse lab facilities or have tie up with the Labs for regular water quality testing.

To strengthen monitoring system, AMRUT 2.0 advocates incorporation of smart components in water supply schemes, including online  water  quality  sensors,  Supervisory  Control  and  Data  Acquisition (SCADA) systems, GIS-based asset mapping, bulk and consumer metering, and AI/IoT-based  monitoring  solutions.  Under  AMRUT,  258  water  supply schemes have been implemented with SCADA. Under AMRUT 2.0, 1,415 water supply projects have provision for SCADA system. In addition, under AMRUT Mitra initiative, women Self Help Groups are engaged by ULBs for collection of water quality testing at field level.

Further for safe disposal of sewage in urban areas, under AMRUT, a total of 889 sewerage and septage management projects amounting to ₹34,467 crore have been grounded. Through these projects, about 6,299 MLD of sewage treatment capacity has been approved. Of this, 4,843 MLD of sewage treatment capacity (new/augmented) has been created, out of which 1,437 MLD capacity has been developed for recycle and reuse of treated waste water. Under AMRUT 2.0, 583 sewerage/septage projects worth ₹66117.69 crore have bee n  approved by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) so far. Approved projects cover 6,649 MLD sewage treatment  capacity  (new/augmentation)  of  which  1,931  MLD  sewage treatment capacity is for recycle/reuse.

Drinking water quality arrangement in urban areas is governed by standards and guidelines issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) primarily IS 10500: Drinking Water - Specification. Water quality testing for compliance  and  regulatory  reporting  should  be  conducted  in  NABL accredited laboratories conforming to ISO/IEC 7025. The Ministry has also published  Manual  on  Water  Supply  and  Treatment  Systems  (Drink  from Tap)  in  March  2024  (https://mohua.gov.in/publication/manual-on-watersupply-and-treatment-systems---drink-from-tap---march-2024.php), for reference by the States/ ULBs for designing and implementation of the water  supply  projects.  The  manual  has  a  Chapter  on  'Drinking  water quality monitoring and surveillance', which outlines the standard procedures for various components of drinking water quality monitoring and  surveillance  and  sanitary  surveillance  (inspection)  activities  to  be undertaken by Urban Water Service Providers.

ULBs/ Parastatal conduct testing of water at Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) and household levels as per applicable norms. As reported by the States/UTs on the AMRUT 2.0 platform during the period from 1st January, 2024 to 31st December, 2024, a total of 3,32,170 water quality samples out  of  3,35,278  samples  tested  at  WTPs  and  22,18,838  samples  out  of 22,45,200 samples tested at the household level were found compliant for the parameters E. coli, Arsenic and Fluoride.

AMRUT/ AMRUT 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The Central share  of  funds  are  released  to  the  State/UTs  and  not  sector-wise.  The States further allocate funds to the Cities/ Parastatals as per progress of the works. During last 5 years and current year, Central share of around ₹ 34,795 crore has been released/ Mother Sanction issued to the States/ UTs for projects under AMRUT/ AMRUT 2.0. The States have submitted utilisation certificates/ incurred  expenditure  through  SNA-Sparsh  of around ₹2 9,751 crore so far.

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