While Indore continues to earn recognition as one of India’s cleanest cities, a growing environmental concern is emerging beneath the surface. Reports and investigations have highlighted that industrial waste disposal in and around the city may be contributing to serious groundwater contamination in several areas.
Localities near industrial belts such as Sanwer Road, Palda, MR-10, Kumedi, Bardari, and surrounding villages have reportedly witnessed deteriorating groundwater quality, with residents raising concerns about foul-smelling water, health issues, and declining usability of borewell water. Investigations have pointed toward untreated industrial effluents and chemical waste seeping into the ground over the years.
The issue has attracted the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took cognizance of reports indicating excessive levels of contaminants in groundwater samples collected from multiple locations around Indore’s industrial zones. According to reports, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels in some samples were found to be significantly above recommended drinking water standards, raising concerns about long-term public health impacts.
Environmental experts warn that groundwater contamination is not merely an environmental issue but a public health challenge. Exposure to polluted water can contribute to skin disorders, digestive illnesses, and other health complications if left unchecked. Similar concerns have surfaced in recent years as authorities sealed multiple industrial units for allegedly discharging untreated chemical waste into the environment.
The concern comes at a time when Indore is already facing broader debates around water quality, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. While government agencies have initiated inspections, monitoring, and enforcement measures, experts believe long-term solutions will require stricter industrial compliance, continuous groundwater monitoring, and stronger environmental accountability.
For a city that takes pride in its cleanliness achievements, the challenge now extends beyond visible waste management to the invisible threats hidden underground.
The question is: Can a city truly be called clean if the water beneath it is becoming toxic?
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