In a dramatic administrative shake-up, Indore collector Shivam Verma has taken direct control of the crisis response in the diarrhoea-hit Bhagirathpura area. This move comes on the heels of the sudden removal of Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav and additional commissioner Rohit Sissoniya, following a high-stakes political tussle.
Political Friction Leads to Top-Level Ouster
The removal of the two senior IMC officials on Saturday is reported to be the culmination of a prolonged conflict between the mayor, backed by his Municipal Corporation (MIC) members and corporators, and the municipal administration. The friction reached a point where Chief Minister Mohan Yadav intervened, ordering strict action. This politically charged decision has reportedly left the IMC workforce demoralized and in a state of confusion.
A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed the administration's dismay, stating, "The politically motivated decision has left the entire IMC administration disheartened as we have been working hard to maintain cleanliness and ensure all services and new works are done without any hurdle." The official added that it has become a pattern for the current elected MIC to oppose every commissioner who has served in the last three years.
Collector Steps Into the Vacuum
Against this backdrop of uncertainty, Collector Shivam Verma, who has previously served as IMC Commissioner himself, arrived in Bhagirathpura on Saturday to restore public confidence and lead the ground operations. He assumed direct charge to handle the failing water and health infrastructure that triggered the diarrhoea outbreak.
Verma immediately launched a multi-departmental cleanup drive. He revealed critical findings about the water supply, stating, "Out of 114 government borewells in the area, 25 were shut down after failing quality tests." Authorities are now testing around 400 private borewells belonging to residents to ensure water safety.
Immediate Measures and Public Impact
To contain the crisis, the collector announced that the Narmada water supply to Bhagirathpura would remain suspended for the next three days. Supply will only resume after thorough chlorine dosing and comprehensive safety testing is completed. On a priority basis, work has also begun to replace corroded, decades-old pipelines in the affected zone.
While the IMC headquarters remained closed for the weekend, field staff in Bhagirathpura were seen discussing the fallout of their seniors' removal. Many employees huddled together, trying to decipher the administrative and political motives behind the sudden action. Meanwhile, several officials visited the outgoing commissioner's residence to understand the sudden turn of events. Social media platforms buzzed with discussions, with some users questioning whether similar accountability would be demanded from the area's elected representatives.
The direct intervention by the district collector underscores the severity of the public health crisis and the administrative vacuum created by the sudden removal of the civic body's top leadership. All eyes are now on Verma's efforts to stabilize the situation and provide relief to the residents of Bhagirathpura.
