Contaminated water supply has hit Gandhinagar in Gujarat. This is not only capital of Gujarat - PM Narendra Modi's and BJP's Model State. Gandhinagar's local MP is none other than Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Dr Mitaben Parikh, Superintendent of Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, confirmed a 50 percent surge in positive cases over the past three days.
Investigations revealed contaminated water samples, with typhoid bacteria detected in Widal and blood culture reports. Out of 685 Widal tests conducted in December, 130 were positive, with recent days showing an alarming spike. Adults have also been affected, with 15 serious cases admitted from the Medicine OPD, local media reports said.
In the past week, contaminated water has been reported from Indore in Madhya Pradesh - another BJP-ruled state. Indore is famous for winning "India’s cleanest city" on multiple occasions.
The bitter fact often gets ignored is -- Most of Indians towns and cities get listed among the dirtiest in the world.
What is embarrassing for the Prime Minister and the BJP is that most Indian states are run by BJP governments.
"A valid question would be to ask why the vaunted ‘double-engine governments’ have proved so incompetent," writes columnist Tavleen Singh in 'Indian Express'.
She adds acidly -
"The Prime Minister might sincerely believe that we are well on our way to become ‘viksit’ by 2047, but he seems not to have taken a road trip lately and noticed how bad our beloved Bharat Mata looks."
Union Home Minister and Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah has reviewed the situation in Gandhinagar with Harsh Sanghavi, the District Collector and Municipal Commissioner.
He directed officials to act on a war footing, ensure expert medical treatment for affected children and citizens, and provide food facilities for patients and their families at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital.
The Home Minister also ordered immediate pipeline repairs and intensive inspection of surrounding areas to prevent further spread.
Water contamination remains a global public health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that ingestion of unsafe water can lead to diseases such as bacterial gastroenteritis, cholera, typhoid and dysentery, which are significant contributors to illness and death in vulnerable populations.
In Indore's case, early assessments suggest sewage mixing with drinking water due to infrastructure lapses triggered this outbreak, underscoring the importance of safe water supply systems and vigilant monitoring.
Indore has taken a full circle, vis-a-vis cleanliness and people's Health.
I have traveled to Indore in 2018 and 2019.
We reported sincerely that the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan has salutary impact on health parameters of Indore.
Here is a glimpse of what I reported for United News of India in 2018 (February) :::
According to officials of Indore Municipal Corporation, which piloted the cleanliness drive with an unprecedented zeal and professional approach in last three year, the positive impact of the Swacch Mission has resulted in decline in "respiratory and other diseases by about 50 per cent".
"We all spoke about Acchey Din (Good Days) in 2014. People still ridicule about the slogan in social network. But come to Indore and you find what's Acchey Din. The city is cleaner and healthier. Even our Sabzi Mandis offer a different view," says Indore Municipal Corporation 'safaimitra' Dinesh Kumar.
The observation should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric as the city has come up a long way from being placed 150th in a cleanliness ranking of India’s cities in 2014 to Number 1 in 2017. In between, the city had leaped to the 25th position in 2016.
"It's doable and we did it," Asad Warsi of Eco Pro Environmental Services, consultant to the Indore Municipal Corporation, told UNI.
Bad News -- Mid-December 2025:
Residents of Bhagirathpura, a densely populated area home to around 15,000 people, begin noticing that their tap water looks discoloured and smells foul. Locals repeatedly complain about water quality to civic officials, but no effective action is/was taken.
Water distribution continues, but many families report a bitter taste and strong odour. Some residents use the water for drinking and cooking despite concerns due to lack of alternatives.
December 27-28, 2025:
The first wave of illnesses is reported. People begin experiencing vomiting, severe diarrhoea, dehydration and weakness after consuming tap water. Initial cases are treated at local clinics. Health teams start surveying patients.
December 29, 2025:
The number of affected individuals rises sharply. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirms at least three deaths linked with diarrhoea reportedly caused by the tainted water, and reports of patients being rushed to more hospitals increase.
December 30, 2025:
Hospital admissions surge above 100. Reports indicate over 1,100 residents have fallen ill in the area, with gastrointestinal symptoms consistent with waterborne infection. Health teams intensify surveys of households.
**** Symptoms and precautions
Common symptoms observed-
Prolonged high fever
Persistent stomach pain, cramps or constipation
Vomiting and nausea
Extreme weakness and headaches
Preventive measures advised-
Boil drinking water for at least 20 minutes, then filter after cooling
Use boiled water for cooking, washing vegetables and brushing teeth
Always boil milk before consumption
Avoid street food and ice-based beverages
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