Indore, which has been crowned the cleanest city in India for eight consecutive years, is suffering from an existential water crisis, with dry borewells and unplanned expansion straining water resources in the region. In May 2026, residents of Vikas Nagar blocked main roads along with their local representatives over partially filled overhead tanks, while citizens in Veena Nagar held a sit-in protest. In Gauri Nagar, which is ward no. 20, residents reported total dependence on Municipal tankers for water supply.
Supply strains were also reported in Palda (Ward 75), where Congress corporator Kunal Solanki was seen managing tanker distribution amid long queues of residents. An elected municipal councillor in Jeen Mata (Ward 26) also led a protest at the house of a local MLA, with people sloganeering “Paani do..Paani do” and highlighting the plight of no water supply despite taking water connections.
In June 2026, over 100 residents of Scheme 136 gheraoed local MLA Ramesh Mendola demanding concrete steps towards the crisis. They demanded concrete steps towards water scarcity while highlighting that despite tenders being issued for laying a new water supply line, no work order has been issued to date. The locals also raised questions about water tankers being unaffordable, at double the price, which is used as a coercive measure, especially with the purchase.
Locals accuse authorities of unequal water distribution
Locals also accused authorities of diverting water tankers to other colonies and even of selling water illegally. However, the municipal corporation denied such allegations, stating water distribution is carried out regularly across wards.
In another protest in Malwa Mill and Palda areas of the city, people raised vociferous slogans against the Municipal Corporation and blocked traffic, complaining about irregular water supply and drying borewells. During the protest, Congress Councillor for Ward 75 prostrated himself on the ground, crawling towards the police officials to demand water supply for the public.
A Times of India report indicated that 75 out of 85 wards are experiencing acute water shortage. Several premium townships in Indore are also facing the wrath of supply disruption. In May, the Indore Municipal Corporation reportedly started extracting water from Narmada pipelines and reservoirs such as Yashwant Sagar to meet its need of 900 MLD (million litres per day), which is only about half of the required quantity.
Lack of functional pipeline connections
The city estimated that 30 percent of the population still lacks functional Narmada pipeline connections, leaving them heavily dependent on groundwater and tanker supplies. Further, around 30 percent of the population of the city lacks functional Narmada pipeline connections, leaving the population heavily dependent on groundwater resources and tanker supply.
According to official data, out of 6,500 government-operated borewells, approximately 50 percent have completely dried up this season. Residents are forced to depend on private and municipal tankers.
Meanwhile, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has started seizing illegal pumps, private hydrants and cracking down on buildings without functioning rainwater harvesting systems.
The city continues to experience a severe water crisis, particularly during summers, with allegations of mismanagement, negligence and poor planning against the Indore Municipal Corporation. According to experts, Indore’s groundwater exploitation rate has reached 120 percent of its sustainable yield, leading to inadequate recharging of water.
Indore city, with around 35-40 lakhs population is the most populated city in the state and also the commercial and industrial powerhouse.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for better access to common land/resources
Opposition against environmental degradation
Complaint against procedural violations
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban
Type of Land
Common and Private
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Dwelling/habitation use, Ecosystem/Environmental Services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Other, Environmental Law, Procedural Laws, Procedural Laws, Case Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore
Case Number
W.P. No. 19600 of 2026
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Indore Municipal Corporation; Indore Development Authority; Collector Indore; Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board; Narmada Valley Development Authority; Central Ground Water Board; Central Pollution Control Board
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
