IN DEEP WATER

The Centre has identified 34,846 habitations in Gujarat considered arsenic andfluoride-affected even as the state government sits on more than Rs 150 croreprovided for the purpose

Thousands of people across the state have been condemned to drink groundwater with naturally high quantities of arsenic and fluoride that can have serious repercussions on their health, according to the central government. However, the Gujarat government has turned a blind eye to the concerns raised by the Centre asserting that not a single case of fluorosis and arsenicosis has been reported from the state. To top it all, a sanctioned sum of over Rs 150 crore by the Union government meant for ‘arsenic and fluoride-affected habitations’ remains unused.

Government and private hospitals have maintained that they have been steadily receiving patients with ailments caused by arsenic and fluoride, but the state continues to maintain an ostrich-like approach to the grave situation.

Microbes, heavy metals slip past AMC water labs

The laboratories are not equipped to test heavy metals and advanced microbes in drinking water; this despite the fact that water-borne diseases has surged by about 25 per cent in a year

# 8,000 Amdavadis were diagnosed with diarrhoea in 2014, up by about 25 per cent over the 2013 figure.

# Jaundice and typhoid have also raised their heads as their cases soared by 26 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

 Despite the shocking surge in the water-borne diseases in the city, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s water testing laboratories are not equipped to test advanced microbes and heavy metals and in drinking water as prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO). This is not only contributing to rise in water-borne diseases but also damaging vital body organs like kidney, liver, bone and blood.