The water divide, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, at least four people died and over 2,000 fell ill after drinking contaminated municipality-supplied water.
• Over 200 people were hospitalized, with 32 in the ICU due to the water contamination.
• The incident occurred despite Indore being recognized as India’s cleanest city for its waste management practices.
• This is the second water contamination incident in Madhya Pradesh in two months, following protests at Vellore Institute of Technology near Bhopal in November.

Detailed Insights:

• The Indore water contamination incident highlights the critical need for ensuring water quality, despite progress in access to improved water sources under the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission.
• According to the National Family Health Survey data, 96% of households use an improved source of drinking water, but this does not guarantee safe water quality.
• The incident underscores the importance of enforcing water guidelines and environmental laws, repairing old infrastructure, and monitoring water supply sources for contaminants.
• India's large population of nearly 147 crore contributes to a high burden of water-borne diseases, necessitating immediate checks for chemical and sewage contaminants in water supply sources across all states.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Swachh Bharat Mission: A national campaign for cleanliness and sanitation across India.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: A government initiative to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024.
• National Family Health Survey: A large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in India to gather data on population, health, and nutrition.