Madhya Pradesh Government Initiates Statewide Audit of Drinking Water Pipelines Following Serious Complaint to PMO
The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a comprehensive statewide audit of drinking water pipelines after receiving a detailed complaint addressed to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the chief secretary. The complaint alleges widespread use of substandard High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes in water supply projects across the state, raising serious concerns about public health and safety.
Allegations of Water Contamination and Preventable Deaths
The complaint, copies of which have been accessed by government sources, claims that compromised pipeline materials may have caused water contamination and preventable deaths in Indore and other cities. The complainant describes these reported deaths as avoidable incidents rather than "unfortunate accidents," attributing them to systemic failures in enforcement and oversight under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
According to the representation, the use of compromised pipeline materials has transformed potable water into a public health hazard despite repeated warnings over the past three to four years. The complaint stresses that safeguarding drinking water infrastructure represents a non-negotiable state responsibility that requires immediate attention and corrective action.
Specific Demands and Investigation Requests
The complainant has sought several specific actions from authorities:
- An independent, time-bound probe into the allegations
- A forensic audit comparing IS 7328 raw material procurement standards with IS 4984 pipe manufacturing and sales practices
- Strict action against adulterators and erring officials
- Immediate corrective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents
Confirming receipt of the complaint, Urban Administration and Development Department commissioner Sanket S Bhondve stated that the allegations are currently being verified. "I have ordered an audit of the pipes through the concerned department," Bhondve confirmed, indicating that the state government is taking the matter seriously.
Warnings Ignored and Systemic Failures
The complaint reveals that multiple alerts since January 2023 were sent to various authorities including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), MP Jal Nigam, the Jal Shakti ministry, and state authorities. These warnings specifically flagged risks associated with reprocessed or recycled polymers in HDPE pipes used for drinking water supply.
Despite these repeated alerts, no corrective action was taken according to the complainant, culminating in incidents that could have been prevented with proper oversight and timely intervention. The representation argues that regulatory apathy by BIS and weak enforcement by implementing agencies have allowed non-compliant products to proliferate in the market.
Technical Details and Health Implications
The complaint notes that nearly 80% of drinking water networks in the state rely on HDPE pipes and alleges widespread misuse of BIS certification under IS 4984. Manufacturers are accused of supplying pipes made from inferior materials instead of the mandated virgin resin under IS 7328/ISO 4427 standards.
These standards are specifically designed to ensure water purity, prevent microbial growth, and offer a 50-year service life for drinking water infrastructure. The complainant alleges that inferior pipes are degrading even before installation and leaching toxic substances, causing:
- Foul odour and taste in drinking water
- Increased turbidity and microbial growth
- Facilitation of water-borne diseases including diarrhoea, cholera, jaundice, and typhoid
Evidence from Multiple Cities and Governance Concerns
Referring to media reports on the Indore incident, the complaint claims civic authorities failed to identify the contamination source for days, asserting that the pipeline itself represents the root cause of the problem. Similar incidents in Ratlam, Satna, and Gandhinagar are cited as evidence of a wider governance lapse affecting multiple urban centers across Madhya Pradesh.
Drawing parallels with cough syrup deaths previously reported in the state, the complainant argues that HDPE pipes used for drinking water distribution are as critical to public health as pharmaceutical products. This comparison underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences of regulatory failure in this sector.
State Government Response and Ongoing Initiatives
Meanwhile, the Urban Administration and Development Department has stated that the state has intensified measures to prevent water contamination. A statewide clean water drive called ‘Swacchh Jal Abhiyaan’ was launched on January 10, 2026, under the chief minister's leadership. This initiative focuses on safe drinking water in both urban and rural areas under the theme ‘Jal Suraksha, Jal Sanrakshan, Jal Sunwai’.
Under this campaign, several concrete actions have been implemented:
- Water samples are being collected from discharge points and household taps
- A total of 90,453 samples have been tested so far, with 973 failing quality norms
- 9,801 ‘Amrut Mitra’ women volunteers are engaged in door-to-door sampling
- ‘Jal Sunwai’ grievance hearings are held every Tuesday to address public concerns
Infrastructure Repair and Long-Term Solutions
The department reported significant progress in identifying and addressing infrastructure issues:
- Leakages and sewer-water crossing points are being identified and repaired on priority
- Of 15,718 leakages detected, 14,661 have been repaired
- Of 21,215 tubewells, 9,668 have been tested, with 185 found contaminated and banned for drinking use
- 3,144 of 3,298 overhead tanks have been cleaned to prevent contamination
For long-term solutions, officials stated that pipeline repair and replacement are being funded under the Mukhya Mantri Shahri Vikas Adhosanrachna – Phase 5, with Rs 5,000 crore sanctioned for this purpose. This funding is being supplemented by AMRUT gap-filling initiatives and other long-term water supply and sewerage projects aimed at creating sustainable infrastructure for safe drinking water across Madhya Pradesh.
