####Toxic Contamination of Groundwater a Grave Threat to Public Health; Indore-like Incidents Are Heinous Crimes: K.K. Gupta

By Niti Gopendra Bhatt
Udaipur.K.K. Gupta, Coordinator of Rajasthan’s Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), has termed incidents like the deaths caused by contaminated groundwater in Indore as a grave warning to public health and a heinous crime against society. He has urged the Central and State Governments, along with the judiciary, to take suo motu cognizance of reports published in the media regarding water pollution and ensure strict action against guilty officials and institutions.

Gupta stated that the continuous infiltration of chemically contaminated water into underground aquifers has emerged as a serious environmental and public health crisis in many cities and towns across the country. Industrial waste, untreated sewage, and solid-liquid waste carried by rainwater are poisoning groundwater reserves. Incidents reported from Indore and several other regions clearly indicate that unless stringent measures are taken immediately, clean drinking water will remain merely a slogan for future generations.

He said it is deeply alarming that Indore, which has consistently ranked first in cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat Mission, has witnessed deaths due to contaminated water. Calling it a blot on the city’s image, Gupta asserted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi must initiate such exemplary and strict action that it instills fear among those who commit such environmental crimes in the future.

Gupta highlighted that urban local bodies are accumulating massive garbage heaps at dumping yards, where even dead animals are disposed of openly. During the monsoon, rainwater percolates through these waste heaps, turning into chemical-laden leachate that seeps into the ground and contaminates nearby groundwater sources. He alleged that while officials claim scientific waste disposal on paper, in reality, garbage is often set on fire under the cover of darkness, worsening both water and air pollution, making life unbearable for nearby residents.

He explained that industrial chemical effluents, unscientifically managed municipal waste, and untreated sewage flowing through open drains get absorbed into the soil during rainfall. Over time, this polluted water reaches aquifers and re-emerges years later through hand pumps and tube wells as drinking water. Reports indicating increased levels of heavy metals, nitrates, and toxic chemicals in Indore’s groundwater over recent years point to this dangerous cycle.

Gupta warned that prolonged consumption of contaminated groundwater can lead to cancer, kidney and liver diseases, skin disorders, congenital disabilities in children, and severe digestive ailments. The risk is particularly acute in rural areas, where people are heavily dependent on groundwater. Despite awareness of contamination in many regions, alternative safe drinking water arrangements are often not made in time.

He emphasized that this crisis is not natural but a result of administrative negligence and lack of accountability. Although strict laws such as the Solid Waste Management Rules, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the Environment Protection Act exist, their implementation remains weak. Many industrial units discharge waste without operating proper treatment facilities. Environmental activists and civil society organizations have consistently demanded that governments and courts take suo motu action to ensure strict punitive measures against offenders.

Referring to a successful model, Gupta said that during his tenure as Chairman of the Dungarpur Municipal Council in southern Rajasthan, systematic rainwater harvesting initiatives were implemented at the household level. These efforts not only increased groundwater levels but also significantly improved water quality. The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level, which earlier stood at around 800, reduced to nearly 500 due to dilution from harvested rainwater.

He pointed out that although urban bodies across the country collect funds for rainwater harvesting at the time of granting building approvals, the practice is often not enforced. As a result, crores of rupees earmarked for water conservation remain unutilized. Gupta warned that unless rainwater harvesting is strictly implemented, urban areas may soon face severe water crises. He noted that in Dungarpur, recharging hand pumps and installing RO plants produced remarkable results.

Gupta stressed that water quality parameters, especially regular monitoring of TDS levels, must be made mandatory, as polluted water lies at the root of most diseases. He added that the Dungarpur Model has drawn national attention, with teams from the then Delhi Government and other regions visiting the town to study it. The model was also discussed in Parliament on December 4, 2023, highlighting its national relevance.

Calling for widespread awareness, Gupta advocated launching campaigns in schools, colleges, and communities to educate people about water conservation and the harmful effects of water pollution.

He concluded by stating that contaminated groundwater is not merely a local or regional issue but a national crisis. If governments and courts adopt a strict stance and ensure punitive action against those responsible, tragedies like Indore can be prevented and the country’s invaluable water resources can be safeguarded. Clean drinking water is a fundamental right, and any negligence in protecting it must now be treated as a criminal offence. He strongly urged the nationwide adoption of the Dungarpur Model to achieve pollution-free and sustainable water management.