The CAG report highlighted concerns not only about disease prevalence but also about the monitoring and response mechanisms of municipal authorities. Timely water testing and corrective action are essential to prevent waterborne diseases. While water samples were regularly collected and tested in both cities, the audit found that the municipal administrations were unable to provide records detailing the actions taken when contamination was detected.
Between 2013 and 2018, a total of 299,692 water samples were collected and tested from various sources in Bhopal, compared with 74,889 samples in Indore. In Bhopal, 433 biological samples were found to be substandard. However, the overall water quality situation appeared more serious in Indore, the report noted.
In Indore, 3,074 physical, 147 chemical and 827 bacteriological samples were found to be below the prescribed standard out of 10,500 samples tested. Water samples are assessed through physical, chemical, bacteriological and biological analysis.
Despite fewer samples being tested in Indore, a higher proportion failed to meet standards. In contrast, although more samples were tested in Bhopal and fewer were found substandard, Bhopal recorded a much higher number of waterborne disease cases. The discrepancy raises questions about the reliability of testing, reporting, and follow-up mechanisms.
