Parliament Question: Water Contamination in Cities under AMRUT

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. …2/--2- 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 …3/--3- 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/--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. …5/--5- 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 been 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-water- supply-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. …6/--6- 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 ₹29,751 crore so far. *****