Villagers of the Bihar's capital Patna's Maner block complained that the arsenic-contaminated groundwater is affecting their health, news agency ANI reported on Saturday.
"Earlier we held a protest demanding the installation of a water treatment plant in Maner but nothing happened. Many villagers suffering from cancer today," a villager was quoted as saying by ANI.
According to a new study, high arsenic concentrations in groundwater have been detected in 18 districts of Bihar, as well as an association with gallbladder cancer incidences in these areas, news agency PTI reported citing an official. People in these areas are consuming water with arsenic levels higher than the World Health Organization's allowable limit of 10 micrograms per litre, as per the report.
Taking note of the media reports on the matter, SDM Danapur Pradeep Singh stated: "I've seen media reports about 73 villages of Maner sub-division complaining of arsenic groundwater. We will conduct an investigation into this and take action against those responsible".
"Experts found that 18 of the 38 areas have high arsenic contamination in groundwater. Buxar, Bhojpur, and Bhagalpur are the worst-affected districts. Buxar has the greatest arsenic contamination (1,906 ug/L) in groundwater," According to Ashok Kumar Ghosh, Chairman of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), as stated in the PTI report.
Deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav said: " Our govt is addressing this problem with seriousness, and we are working with several institutions including Tata Memorial for the treatment of cancer. We are also giving cancer-related treatment in 6 medical colleges in the state".
(With Inputs From Agencies)