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Water
Germans Plan Trials for Arsenic Removal From Water In Bihar 
A team of German researchers is likely to begin next week field trials of a new technology for arsenic removal from ground water in Bihar, which has 16 arsenic-affected districts.
By Tiwari, Section Water
Arsenic, an odourless and tasteless semi-metal element, occurs naturally in the environment and sometimes as a by-product of agriculture and industry. It causes cancer of the intestines, liver, kidneys and bladder as well as gangrene. "Two German researchers are likely to begin field trials by the second week of April in rural areas of Patna district," said A.K. Ghosh of the department of environment and water management of the A.N. College. He is offering local support to the trials. He said Mario Herman and Stesan Smidt, researchers of Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, will carry out trials of the membrane technology developed by German scientist Jan Hoinkis. "Its importance lies in a specially developed membrane with the ability to filter arsenic while extracting water from hand pumps," Ghosh said. The field trials will continue for about six months and will come out with suggestions to use the technology in the state, he said. The researchers will carry out field trails in Maner and Danapur blocks, about 25 km and 15 km from here respectively. The arsenic-hit districts in the state include Bhojpur, Patna, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, East Champaran and Muzaffarpur. Source: Thaindian.com Germans plan trials for arsenic removal from water in Bihar Posted on Fri Apr 02, 2010 at 09:08:59 PM EST
New Water Policy Soon
The state government will announce its new water policy soon. The draft policy lays emphasis on conservation of water resources to check wastage of water.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
The draft policy has also suggested measures like timely repair of water supply pipes and canal lining to prevent water wastage. Besides, it also calls for creation of more water storage spaces, artificial filling of underground water bodies and the need to recycle water. The policy also lays stress on fixation of appropriate tax for industrial use of water. The process of estimation of water tax and its collection should be a simple and low-costing affair, and participation of water consumer organizations in the estimation and collection must be made mandatory, it said. Taking into consideration the difficulty in storing water in the plains of North Bihar, the policy said "chours" could be effectively used for water storage. The water resource development projects should be organized and developed into a multiple project, it added. The use of water for irrigation, drinking and industrial purposes is likely to be fixed so that water consumers know the importance of this limited resource and initiate measures for minimizing the use of water. Before finalizing the draft policy, the Bihar government has decided to organize a workshop here on March 12 to take feedback from a cross-section of people, PHED minister Ashwini K Chaube said in the Bihar Legislative Council on Tuesday. Chaube said that elected representatives, water and sanitation experts and NGOs have been invited to the workshop to express their opinion on the proposed policy. Copies of the draft policy have already been made available to MLAs and MLCs for suggestions, the minister said. Source: Bihar Times By Pranava K Chaudhary, New water policy soon Posted on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 08:57:35 PM EST
Bihar Asks UP To Release 5000 Cusecs Of Rihand Water
The Bihar government has requested the Uttar Pradesh government to release 5000 cusecs of water from the Rihand water reservoir so that farmers in Aurangabad, Bhojpur and Patliputra district get adequate water for irrigating the standing Rabi crop through Sone canal system.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
Water is essential for the Rabi crop in the pre-harvesting season. The request has been made in view of receding water level in Sone river, which is the main source for channelising water to the canal from the Indrapuri barrage (erstwhile Kadhwan reservoir). Sone canal system is nearly 125 years old in which one anicut was constructed on river Sone at Dehri and Canal system was developed both on the eastern and western side of the anicut. Sone low level canal was originally planned for Rabi irrigation only but later on the situations changed a lot as there was vast change in the cropping practice adopted by the cultivators of the area after receiving canal water supply. Farmers switched over to Kharif irrigation also and ultimately, Kharif became the chief crop in the Sone command area. Reports said 2410 cusecs of water had been released from the Indrapuri barrage into the west and east Sone canal to provide water for irrigation to farmers in Bhojpur, Arwal, Jehanabad, and Patliputra districts. Sources said irrigation facilities were being provided on a priority basis to farmers so that Rabi harvest was good this season, which would have its impact on bringing down the prices of foodgrains. Last season, poor production of Kharif crop due to scanty rainfall, especially in northern India, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, had triggered escalation in prices of food items putting an adverse impact on the economy. Source: jaibihar.com Bihar asks UP to release 5000 cusecs of Rihand water Posted on Tue Mar 02, 2010 at 12:04:16 AM EST
Bihar Water Policy To Be Unveiled In March
The Bihar government will announce its drinking water and sanitation policy March 22, 2010 to mark World Water Day, a state minister said Monday.
The government was working on a draft policy, Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said adding that there were plans to introduce a dual water supply system that would supply both recycled and fresh water to the people for sanitation and drinking purposes respectively. The government would accord top priority to drinking water in the policy, the minister said adding that the draft policy would be circulated among people's representatives and also be made available on the PHED website for suggestions of experts and public before its formal announcement. Choubey said the main aim to formulate the policy was promotion of water management, its conservation and efficient use. Source: Thiandian.com Bihar Water Policy to be unveiled in March Click On "Full Story" For More.... (311 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 03:02:32 AM EST
Safe Drinking Water For Bihar Villages Soon
There is good news for hundreds of arsenic- and fluoride-affected villages in Bihar as they will be provided with safe drinking water soon, official sources said Tuesday. Arsenic, an odourless and tasteless semi-metal element, occurs naturally in the environment and sometimes as a by-product of agriculture and industry.
The state government has decided to provide safe drinking water in 150 arsenic-affected villages and 200 fluoride-affected villages across the state. "The government has identified these arsenic- and fluoride-affected villages to provide safe drinking water," Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Chaubey told IANS here. Chaubey said the department was serious about providing safe drinking water to people in arsenic- and fluoride-affected villages. According to him, there are 11 fluoride-affected and 13 arsenic-affected districts in Bihar. Source: Samaylive.com Safe drinking water for Bihar villages soon Click "Full Story" For More... (284 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 03:23:02 AM EST
Bihar For Centre's Rethink Of Water Project Policy
The Bihar government has requested the Centre to reconsider its new guideline on drinking water projects, which prescribes that the project cost be shared by the state and the Centre on a 50:50 basis.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
The state has instead pleaded for the old funding formula in which the Centre used to fund 75% of the cost of such projects and the remaining 25% was contributed by the state concerned. State public health and engineering department minister Ashwini Choubey raised this matter during his meeting with Union rural development minister C P Joshi in Delhi on Saturday. Choubey urged the Union minister to provide additional Central funds for setting up pipeline drinking water supply systems in hamlets as installing hand pumps in such hamlets is not sustainable. Drawing Joshi's attention towards deficient rainfall in Bihar during last monsoon, the state minister pressed for special Central assistance. Non-release of funds for nine districts of the state under the Total Sanitation Programme as well as the state's old demand for upward revision of funds for construction of toilets at Anganbari centres and in individual households also came up for discussion during the meet. Choubey complained about the alleged partisan approach of the Centre in selection of panchayats for Nirmal Gram Awards. Though Bihar sent as many as 126 applications, not a single panchayat was recommended for the award, he told Joshi. Source: Times Of India Bihar for Centre's rethink of water project policy Posted on Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 09:43:17 PM EST
Nitish Inaugurates Groundwater Project
Chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Bihar Ground Water Irrigation Project on Friday which
tubewells to create irrigational facility for 9 lakh hectares of land. Speaking on the occasion, the CM stressed the need to tap ground water along with surface water for irrigation purpose. He pointed out that places where only river or canal water was used for irrigation the fertility of the land had decreased. He said the nature has made provisions for retaining the fertility of land. "However, the ecological balance of the earth has been disrupted by human beings due to which global warning, melting of glaciers and changing pattern of monsoon is occurring," he remarked. He said that while north Bihar faces floods every year, several parts of central and south Bihar had to face drought resulting in losses of agriculture products for farmers. Source: Times Of India Nitish inaugurates groundwater project Click On "Full Story" For More... (351 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Sat Nov 21, 2009 at 01:30:46 AM EST
Ground Water Regulatory Authority To Monitor Water Resources In Bihar
Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, at a seminar organized by the Water AID in Patna on Thursday, said that the government would soon set up a Ground Water Regulatory Authority (GWRA) to conserve and make proper use of ground water in an attempt to manage the water resources more effectively.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
"The GWRA would be made up of engineers and experts who would closely monitor water usage in the state and suggest ways to maximize surface and ground water in Bihar," Choubey said adding he would present a detailed report of the plan in the upcoming winter session of the Bihar Assembly. Choubey also said that from now on forward, the state would observe the World Water Day on March 22 each year to promote water conservation and availability of drinking water in all areas at all time. Presenting a five-prong approach to effectively utilize water resources in the state, the PHED Minister said that the first phase would involve formulation of an effective water policy followed by spread of information, including organizing seminars, to promote water conservation at all levels. In the third stage, public participation would be sought to gather ideas for judicious use of water resources and in the fourth phase, actual implementation of the programs would take place, Choubey said. The fifth phase would involve putting all resources together, including the Water Resources Board, Minor Irrigation, Health, Urban and Rural Development, to promote total coordination between various departments to achieve the goal of drinking water to all and effective usage of water resources in the state, the minister said. Source: www.patnadaily.com Ground Water Regulatory Authority to Monitor Water Resources in Bihar Posted on Sat Nov 21, 2009 at 01:18:00 AM EST
Bihar to set up Ground Water Regulatory Authority
The Bihar government has decided to set up a Ground Water Regulatory Authority to conserve and ensure proper usage of groundwater, said Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
According to the minister, the Ground Water Regulatory Authority would be part of the Bihar Water Policy that would be announced soon. “The government had decided to set up monitoring committees at the state and district levels to conserve surface water and ensure maximum use of groundwater,” Choubey said. He said the government would accord top priority to drinking water in the water policy after consulting experts. The government, he disclosed, plans to introduce a dual water supply system that would supply both recycled and fresh water to the people — fresh water for drinking and recycled water for sanitation and other purposes. Source: Thaindian.com Bihar to set up Ground Water Regulatory Authority Posted on Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 02:40:38 AM EST
Poisoned Waters of BIHAR
About 203 districts in 20 states of the country are affected with fluoride contamination. Around 66.62 million people in these states (six million children below the age of 14) live under this ominous shadow
From time immemorial,Ganga enters Bihar at Chosa (Buxar), flowing through villages of 12 districts and 52 blocks, defining two distinct regions of north and south Bihar. It has been a life-giving source of drinking water and irrigation, sustaining livelihoods of millions along its 400 km terrain. Over the years, the picture has turned ugly. Gangajal, once considered a blessing, is proving to be a deadly curse. This is due to the presence of arsenic beyond acceptable levels. According to experts, quantity of arsenic in Haldichapra village along the banks of Ganga is 1.8 mg/l - way beyond the 0.010 mg/l set by WHO. In another study, the ground water tested at Bidupur, Vaishali district, showed arsenic levels up to a staggering 7.5 mg/l. This was in villages within a radius of 5 km of the river. That is, the quantity of arsenic in the food chain of people inhabiting the environs of the Ganga is 50-fold more: dangerous and life-threatening. The level of arsenic decreases with the depth of the water table. Till 60 metres, the level of arsenic is high which reduces till 200 metres below the ground level and is found in negligible quantities at the level of 220 metres. Negligible but not absent. Arsenic is a natural element found in minerals and rocks inside the earth. In rocks, it takes the form of a carbonic material which get deposited at the bottom of the river bed through mud brought in by soil erosion. Microbes present in muddied depths of the river bed create arsenate compounds soluble in water. This water contaminated with arsenic is used for agriculture thus finding its way into the food cycles and eventually being deposited in the bodies of human beings. It leads to various kinds of cancer including skin changes. Cancer has become an epidemic in India, including in rural India, mostly among women. Arsenic is not the only element which threatens the health of millions along Gangetic plains. In 11 districts of Bihar adjacent to Jharkhand, the waters have high fluoride content. In northeast Bihar, the iron content is unacceptably high in vast water sources dotting the land. Thirty eight districts of Bihar, with around one crore population living in 24 districts, are inadvertently consuming this lethal mix of one or all of the elements. And, it is taking its toll. In vast tracts in Bihar, the prevalence of physical deformity is a chilling evidence of excessive fluoride. Those suffering from fluorosis complain of fatigue and typically the bones of the backbone, neck, hands or legs of the affected person become fragile and lead to deformity. It becomes difficult to stand, run, walk or carry a load. Source:www.hardnewsmedia.com Poisoned waters of BIHAR Click On "Full Story" For More... (807 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Thu Sep 03, 2009 at 09:50:19 PM EST
Rs 426cr For Ensuring Smooth Drinking Water Supply In Patna
Bihar's NDA government has sanctioned Rs 426 crore for undertaking several schemes for ensuring smooth supply of drinking water in all the
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
localities in the state capital, according to deputy CM S K Modi. Replying to a short-notice question of Arun Kumar Sinha (BJP), Modi told the state assembly that the amount had already been sanctioned by the state government and works on several schemes under the plan for ensuring smooth supply of drinking water would begin from November this year. He said the state urban development department was also implementing a Rs 49.13 crore drainage scheme for avoiding water-logging in Kankerbagh area here. Source: Times Of India Rs 426cr for ensuring smooth drinking water supply in Patna Posted on Thu Jul 16, 2009 at 11:49:11 PM EST
Singapore Firm Suggests Improvements In Water Supply In Patna
A team of Singapore Public Utility Board will soon visit Bihar and suggest ways and means to improve the supply of potable water in five major cities of the state, Minister for Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) Ashwini Kumar Choubey said today.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
The Singapore Utility Board team after making an in depth study would suggest measures as to how safe piped water could be supplied in the cities of Bhagalpur, Patna , Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga, Choubey told the Assembly. To maintain the underground water level that has gone down in the state due to excessive use, the government has launched a pilot project to maintain the ground water level, he said. Admitting that several villages in the districts of Patna, Buxar, Vaishali, Bhojpur and Bhagalpur were arsenic affected, Choubey said that the government would soon launch a Rs 298.61 crore scheme to supply arsenic free water to these villages using the surface water of Ganga. The House later passed the over Rs 1,263 crore budgetary demand of the department for the financial year 2009-10 after rejecting the cut motions of Ramdeo Rai (Cong) and others. Source: news.in.msn.com Singapore firm suggests improvements in water supply in Patna Posted on Thu Jul 16, 2009 at 12:36:25 AM EST
Arsenic Found In Ground Water In UP And Bihar: Govt
Arsenic in ground water exceeding the prescribed limit has been reported from some parts of 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 15 districts of Bihar, Lok Sabha was informed today.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
"Arsenic in ground water exceeding prescribed limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb) has been reported from some parts of 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 15 districts of Bihar," Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala stated in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. He was asked whether it's a fact that threat of arsenic contaminated water has spread across 31 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 12 districts of Bihar and the level of arsenic in the water samples collected from all these districts has been found to exceeded the standards of World Health Organisation. As per report of Uttar Pradesh 'Jal Nigam', a survey of arsenic contamination of ground water in 51 districts of the state carried out with the assistance of UNICEF has revealed that some parts of 28 out of 51 districts in the state have been affected by arsenic contamination, Pala stated. To another question whether an area of 200 kilometers in south west Delhi was also affected by arsenic water, the minister replied, "In the report of Central Ground water Board, no area of south-west district of Delhi has been shown as affected by arsenic". Source: Zeenews.com Arsenic found in ground water in UP and Bihar: Govt Posted on Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:43:33 PM EST
Singapore To Help Bihar Tackle Drinking Water Shortage
Singapore will help the Bihar government tackle the severe water crisis in the state, officials said here. Experts from the Public Utility Board (PUB) of Singapore will use latest water management and technology for the purpose.
"A team of experts from Singapore will visit Bihar to study the problem of drinking water and would suggest to sort it out. The team of PUB would visit half a dozen of Bihar's cities including Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga to study the ground situation related to problem of drinking water," Bihar's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said. "After studying the problem of drinking water, the Singapore team would submit a report to the state government with detailed plans and programmes to get rid of it," he added. Choubey finalised the plan while attending the Singapore International Water Week June 22-26. He told IANS that he had discussions with experts of PUB about the problem of drinking water in the state and they promised to help. A large part of Bihar is facing scarcity of drinking water due to depletion of groundwater after delay in monsoon and unprecedented heat for over a month. Source:sindhtoday.net Singapore to help Bihar tackle drinking water shortage Click On "Full Story" For More.... (398 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 11:25:16 PM EST
Website Gag: IT Act Amendments Not Final, Govt Arming Itself To Censor News Websites
Govt arming itself to censor news websites
Barely four months after dropping its proposal to force TV channels to show only “authorized” feed during security emergencies, the government is now seeking to censor news portals and other websites, that too even at normal times. Draft rules released this month empower a designated Central government officer to block public access to any information on the Net for wideranging reasons of security and national interest. One glaring infirmity in the draft rules prepared by the department of information technology is that they make no stipulation for a prior hearing to the affected website. This is despite the fact that the web host who does not comply with the direction to remove the offending information is liable to be punished with imprisonment up to seven years. Times View: The desire to curb the media’s freedom seems to run deep in the government. How else do you explain that while the draft rules give sweeping powers to officials, no attention has been paid to a basic thing like a hearing first? Babus tend to be quick in dubbing things as anti-national or compromising national security. Why should their ‘‘request’’ always be heeded? Also, what will these babus do if the web host is located outside India? Will the domestic media, therefore, bear the brunt of this potential abuse of power? The government should think this through before it finalises the draft rules. Website gag: IT Act amendments not final Government had made an abortive attempt to gag TV channels through a draft notification amending the cable television network rules, but the sweeping power to control the content on websites is being fleshed out in the rules drafted under the recent amendments to the information technology (IT) Act. Though it was passed by Parliament in December and the Presidential assent to it came in February, the IT amendment Act 2008 will not come into effect till the various rules drafted under its provisions, including the one on blocking public access to websites, are finalized. Under the draft rules framed under section 69A of the IT amendment Act, every state or Central government department will be empowered to decide whether a certain news item, article, blog or advertisement relating to its jurisdiction is safe to remain on the Net. Once somebody sends a “complaint” against any information displayed on the Net, the department concerned will take a call on whether the matter in question affects any of the six concerns mentioned in section 69A: interest of sovereignty or integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order or incitement to commit any cognizable offence relating to the other five reasons. If it is satisfied about the need to pull the challenged information out of the public domain, the department concerned will send a “request” in the prescribed form to the “designated officer” at the Centre chosen by the secretary of the IT department. An interministerial committee headed by the designated officer will recommend whether the request to censor the web site should be accepted or not. If the IT secretary approves the committee’s recommendation to take action, the designated officer will direct the intermediary or web host to block the offending information within the stipulated time. In the event of non-compliance, the designated officer can initiate criminal proceedings under section 69A, which imposes a maximum sentence of seven years on the web host. The only remedy provided by the draft rules to media organizations is that a review committee will meet every two months to check whether the directions to block information have been issued in accordance with the IT Act. Source:Times Of India Website Gag: IT Act Amendments Not Final, Govt Arming Itself To Censor News Websites • Caught In The Web; Draft Rules Stir A Hornet's Nest: From Business-Standard Click On "Full Story" To Read This Point... (1768 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Sat May 23, 2009 at 02:44:04 AM EST
PHED Clears Multi-Village Water Supply Projects In Buxar, Vaishali And Patna
Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwini Kumar Chaubey on Tuesday sanctioned multi-village water supply projects in Buxar, Vaishali and Patna.
By ugesh sarkar, Section Water
130 Arsenic-affected villages of Simri block in Buxar district, 45 villages of Bidupur block in Vaishali district and 25 villages of Maner block in Patna will benefit from the project. Addressing a review meeting of PHED here, he said that multi village projects should be launched immediately and completed on schedule. Chaubey, however, admitted that despite the sanctioned order to install 1.37 lakh hand pumps in the last two years, only 27,000 hand pumps had been installed till date. The minister also directed the PHED officials to adopt rainwater harvesting on a wider scale to arrest depletion of groundwater level in the state. Chaubey instructed superintending engineers to complete all NABARD sponsored piped drinking water schemes in the state by March 31 next year. Source: Jaibihar.com PHED clears drinking water projects in Bihar Posted on Fri May 22, 2009 at 03:12:45 AM EST
Govt Move To Provide Safe Drinking Water In Arsenic-Hit Areas
People in two districts Buxar and Bhojpur are badly hit by high arsenic content in water
. A survey conducted by the government in the districts located near Ganga river found that 297 tolas in Buxar districts and 97 in Bhojpur have high arsenic content in the water.
Public health The government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 112.57 crore for providing safe drinking water in these arsenic-hit areas. Apart from it, for the survey of arsenic-hit areas of Maner in Patna district and Sahdei Bujurg in Vaishali district, the government has approved a multi pronged project to provide safe drinking water. Public Health Centres: The state government on Tuesday conceded that out of the 1,243 additional primary health centres (APHCs), only 636 are functional in the state. Replying to a question of Shambhu Sharan Srivastava, JD(U), minister of state for health Vyas Deo Prasad said that as many as 494 APHCs function for only three days in a week while the remaining 142 function for six days. Source: Times Of India Govt move to provide safe drinking water in arsenic-hit areas Click On "Full Story" For More... (386 words in story) Full Story By ugesh sarkar, Section WaterPosted on Tue Mar 03, 2009 at 11:04:29 PM EST
Bihar seeks Rs 470 cr central aid to clean up groundwater
The Bihar government has sought an aid of Rs 470 crore from Centre to deal with the problem of arsenic and florides that are contaminating groundwater in as many as 16 district of the state.
This proposal was put forth at a high-level meeting between rural development minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Bihar public health engineering department (PHED) minister Aswini Kumar Chowbey. The districts in which high arsenic content has been found in the groundwater include Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Sharan, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria and Katihar. In other districts including, Gaya, Rohtas, Nawada, north of Munger and Bhagalpur and Sheikhpura, high level of floride has been found in groundwater. Urging the Centre to help the state in its effort to provide safe drinking water, Chowbey said, "A poor state like Bihar cannot undertake this task on its own and so the Centre should approve the special package, including the technical support, to make water in the state safe for drinking." "I have spoken to the Union minister for rural development and he has assured that the state will be provided with the required fund," Chowbey added.
(408 words in story) Full Story By Mrs Gupta, Section WaterPosted on Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 01:50:02 AM EST
Kulhara Village in Bihar's Vaishali District , Where Water's Divided On Basis Of Caste
 It's a known fact that in some areas of Bihar, people from different castes live in separate colonies. But the caste divide doesn't end there. Now water too is being divided on the basis of caste.Kulhara village in Bihar's Vaishali district has six drinking water wells. And in the scorching summer, Janpatia Devi's family doesn't have a drop to drink. That's because she is a Dalit, and the well in the village meant only for her community has gone dry. Wells the only source of drinking water in this village -- are divided on the basis of caste. but Dalits get the worst deal. "The water is not potable at all. It is dirty but we have no other choice," Sunita Devi, a distraught villager, says. And dry wells mean a half-kilometre trek to nearby villages to fetch water. Source: ibnlive.com 30/May/2008 Posted on Fri May 30, 2008 at 05:01:57 AM EST
Facing Acute Drinking Water Shortage Villagers In Sarangpur In Bihar Forced To Drink Filthy Water
Facing acute drinking water shortage, villagers in Sarangpur District in Bihar are forced to drink filthy water which they say is unfit even for cleaning purposes.
By Tiwari, Section Water
The well with filthy water is the main source of water for around 50 households and they blame the government's apathy for the present state of affairs. They further point out that frogs are in abundance in the water that they drink. "There is acute water shortage here and we don't have any alternatives," said Virendra Mhamri, a resident. " We are forced to drink this dirty and smelly water. When the water of this well dries up, we are forced to fetch water from far off villages. Besides, there is a hand pump which is also far away," said Murti Devi, another resident. Many parts of India suffer severe dry spells and water crisis during the summer months when temperatures soar. Source:www. dailyindia.com 10/May/2008 Posted on Sat May 10, 2008 at 03:57:16 AM EST
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