New Delhi: The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has constructed arsenic-safe exploratory wells in arsenic-affected parts of the States of West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
So far, 525 exploratory wells tapping arsenic-safe aquifers have been constructed under the National Project on Aquifer Management (NAQUIM) programme including 40 in Bihar, 191 in West Bengal and 294 in Uttar Pradesh, the Minister stated.
In addition, the innovative cement sealing technique of CGWB has been shared with the state agencies to utilize to construct arsenic-free wells.
“CGWB is implementing Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme (GWMR) under which CGWB constructs arsenic-free wells in arsenic-affected areas using the cement sealing technology,” Chandrasekhar said, claiming that as a result of these actions, there are only 378 arsenic-affected habitations in Punjab and West Bengal, as on date. Even in these habitations, the provision of safe drinking water through community water purification plants (CWPP) has been made available, he added.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) which the Centre, in partnership with States, has been implementing since August 2019, the funds are not released separately for the eradication of arsenic in ground and drinking water.
The JJM is meant to provide potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on a regular and long-term basis to every rural household in the country.
Drinking Water is a state subject and the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with State and Union Territory Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance
Under JJM, while planning water supply schemes to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to quality-affected habitations. While allocating the funds to States and UTs in a particular financial year, 10% weightage is given to the population residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants including arsenic affected habitations.
“Since, planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water supply schemes based on a safe water source may take time, purely as an interim measure, States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) in such habitations, to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8–10 litre per capita per day (lpcd) to meet their drinking and cooking requirements,” the Minister said.
– global bihari bureau
