Question : Pollution in the Ganges

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the high quantity of arsenic in drinking water available in the cities situated along the Ganges river;

(b) if so, whether the number of patients suffering from cancer is very high among the people living in these cities; and

(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to address the issue?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) to (c): Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is monitoring water quality at 1275 locations on 445 rivers, including river Ganga. The monitored data does not reflect any detectable presence of Arsenic contamination in rivers at any of monitored of the network.

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