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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Arsenic, fluoride, uranium contamination threaten drinking water safety in Bihar
1 2 Patna: Groundwater quality in Bihar remains a concern despite the implementation of the 'Har Ghar Jal-Nal Yojna' and other measures initiated by the state govt. More than 30,000 rural wards continue to face the risk of "unsafe" drinking water, leaving large sections of the population vulnerable to serious health hazards. The Bihar Economic Survey Report (2024-25), tabled in the state assembly earlier this year, revealed that around 26% of rural wards in 31 of the state's 38 districts have groundwater contaminated with arsenic, fluoride and iron beyond permissible limits. The findings were based on an analysis of water samples by the state's public health engineering department (PHED). Experts attribute the deterioration in groundwater quality to multiple factors like rapid industrial growth and urbanisation leading to the discharge of untreated industrial and municipal waste, excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture, over-extraction of groundwater for irrigation and the growing impact of climate change. Arsenic: Excessive and prolonged ingestion of inorganic arsenic through drinking water is causing arsenicosis, a progressive and debilitating disease marked by skin lesions, pigmentation and patches on the palms and soles. It can culminate in fatal illnesses such as skin and internal cancers. Long-term exposure may also result in cardiovascular and diabetic complications. Arsenic contamination has been detected in groundwater across 20 districts, including Araria, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Saran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul and West Champaran. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Europe Travel Hack That Saves You Hundreds on Trips! Undo Fluoride: High fluoride levels in drinking water are harmful to health. Former deputy director general of the Geological Survey of India, Binod Kumar, said, "Long-term intake of groundwater with excessive fluoride concentrations often leads to waterborne fluorosis, such as dental and skeletal fluorosis. Children may get mottled teeth." Concentrations exceeding the permissible limit of 15 mg/L have been reported in parts of Banka, Gaya, Jamui, Nalanda, Nawada and Sheikhpura districts. Uranium: Groundwater samples from Siwan district have been found to contain uranium concentrations above 30 ppb, according to Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) analysis. Former Bihar State Pollution Control Board chairman Ashok Kumar Ghosh said radioactive uranium has also been detected in Saran, Bhabhua, Khagaria, Madhepura, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Purnea, Kishanganj and Begusarai. "High exposure may cause bone toxicity, impaired renal function and cancer," he said. Iron: Elevated iron content in groundwater has been observed in 33 districts, including Araria, Banka, Begusarai, Bhabhua, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, East Champaran, Gaya, Gopalganj, Jamui, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Rohtas, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Supaul, Vaishali and West Champaran. High iron levels can cause anaesthetic effects and promote the growth of iron bacteria. Nitrate: Elevated nitrate levels in groundwater pose risks such as methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby syndrome", in infants. "Adults can tolerate slightly higher concentrations," said Patna University geology teacher Bhavuk Sharma. Out of 800 groundwater samples analysed by the CGWB, 20 had nitrate concentrations exceeding the permissible limit of 45 mg/L with some reaching as high as 119 mg/L. Higher nitrate levels were found in Arwal, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Katihar, Madhepura, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Saharsa, Samastipur, Sheohar and Sitamarhi. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
6 PHED engrs served notice over 150 crore tubewell scam in Jalore
Jaipur: Public health engineering department (PHED) has issued notices to six engineers of the department, including a retired engineer, for alleged involvement in a scam of Rs 150 crore. Officials said these engineers reportedly gave Operations and Maintenance (O&M) tenders to two firms for more than 900 tubewells in Jalore district when they were entitled to O&M of only 20 tubewells. "We took up the issue with PHED minister Kanhaiya Lal Choudhary. Following his instructions, we are going to take major steps against these accused engineers. We will also lodge complaints with police in this regard," disclosed a senior PHED official Wednesday. An official of the department claimed that the accused—then executive engineers Umesh Kumar Meena, Shyam Bihari Bairwa, Jitendra Trivedi, Hemant Kumar Bairwa, Ashish Dwivedi (retd), and Hemant Kumar Vaishnav—gave the work orders for O&M of 981 tubewells on Aug 12, 2022, to two firms—MM Construction and MS Raj Enterprise. "In gross violation of norms, the then superintendent engineer of the circle issued this work order for 981 tubewells. The two firms should have got work orders for only 20 tubewells. For the last three years, the department is unnecessarily wasting money on O&M expenditure for such a huge number of additional tubewells. The department has also blacklisted the two firms," the official added. Investigation revealed that PHED bore O&M expenditure for around 3,500 tubewells in Jalore for the last three years, when the actual number of tubewells of the department in the district was only close to 1,500.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Jehanabad DM rebukes officials as diarrhoea cases rise in Kako
Patna: Following complaints of diarrhoea spreading in the residential area of Kako nagar panchayat in Jehanabad district, DM Alankrita Pandey marched through the lanes and bylanes on Sunday and lost her cool upon seeing drain water overflowing, damaged water supply pipes leaking, and filth all around. She rebuked several officials for civic mismanagement. In a video that went viral on Sunday, the DM is seen scolding officials for their negligence. She took stock of the situation and directed the local administration to take immediate action. The DM also sought clarification from the junior engineer of PHED and the sanitation supervisor of the nagar panchayat. "Paisa kha kar baith gaye? You are relying on the mason, and there has been a problem here for the past five days. If I see any garbage anywhere, I will take away your job. After 60-70 cases of diarrhoea here, where were you sleeping till now? I will get you admitted to the hospital myself, then you will come to your senses in a minute," she rebuked an official. Several cases of diarrhoea were reported in Kako, including in Qureshi Mohalla, Koiri Tola, and Paswan Toli of Kako Bazar, with patients also admitted to hospitals. As the number of patients increased, teams of doctors began arriving in the affected areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo When a resident complained about a damaged and leaking water supply line and the lack of taps, the DM became angry. "Whose job is it to get it done? There is so much stink that you are using a handkerchief. What about the children who are getting sick?" she said. Regarding the absence of tap water, she asked the official, "Does it take so much effort to get a tap installed? Tell me the problem. If the contractor doesn't have Rs500, then take it from me and get it installed." She reprimanded the PHED engineer, junior engineer, and nagar panchayat officials and warned them: "If the situation does not improve, I will get everyone admitted to the hospital." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PHED initiates new Bisalpur pipeline project for enhanced water supply
1 2 Jaipur: Even as the Water Resources Department (WRD) rolls out the Ramjal Setu Link Project (RSLP), the state Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has begun laying the second Bisalpur pipeline to Jaipur. The project serves a dual purpose, which includes increasing the capacity to transfer Bisalpur water to the city and enabling uninterrupted supply during maintenance or repair work. With two pipelines running simultaneously, the department will be able to carry out routine upkeep and promptly address any leakages without disrupting the water flow to Jaipur. Speaking to TOI, a senior PHED engineer said, the department is in the process of selecting and awarding a work order to an agency for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). According to the initial plan, the new pipeline will connect the Surajpura filter plant near Bisalpur Dam and the recently commissioned intermediate pumphouse in Renwal, around 10 km away from the PHED's storage facility in Balawala in Sanganer. PHED will also augment the facility of the Surajpura filter plant, while the WRD has started works to increase the intake capacity of this filter plant from the Bisalpur Dam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo At present, PHED has a capacity to transfer around 820 MLD (million litres per day) of water to Jaipur, of which 710 MLD is meant for Jaipur city and the rest for other areas en route. The WRD has agreed to increase PHED (Jaipur)'s share by another 400 MLD from Bisalpur, post-implementation of RSLP. "However, we have plans to commission the second pipeline with a transfer capacity of around 1,500 MLD. The 1,200-odd MLD of water is planned in accordance with the projected population of 2039," an engineer added. Officials said, the implementation of the project has already been delayed by two years. The department planned to prepare the DPR in 2023 and would start the constructions immediately after WRD initiated the RSLP or the erstwhile Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
RSSB PHED recruitment 2025: Application for 1,050 support engineer and chemist posts to begin shortly at rssb.rajasthan.gov.in
RSSB PHED recruitment 2025: Apply online for 1,050 support engineer and chemist posts RSSB recruitment 2025: The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 1,050 Support Engineer and Support Chemist posts under the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). The online application process for RSSB Support Engineer Recruitment 2025 will commence soon on the official website at Candidates interested in applying for these positions are advised to check the detailed eligibility criteria, application process, fee structure, and selection procedure. The recruitment includes vacancies across several engineering disciplines and chemistry, with eligibility based on academic qualifications from recognised institutions. Vacancy details and educational eligibility The 1,050 total vacancies are divided among various engineering streams and support chemist roles. Educational qualifications range from diplomas to postgraduate degrees in engineering and science disciplines. Post name Total posts Required qualification Support Engineer (B.E. Civil) 553 B.E. in Civil Engineering or equivalent Support Engineer (B.E. Mechanical/Electrical) 184 B.E. in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent Support Engineer (Diploma Civil) 138 Diploma in Civil Engineering or equivalent Support Engineer (Diploma Mechanical/Electrical) 46 Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent Support Engineer IT Expert 74 B.E./ in CS/IT or MCA or equivalent Support Chemist 55 in Chemistry or equivalent Application fee and age limit Applicants from General, OBC, and MBC categories are required to pay a fee of Rs 600. The fee for OBC (NCL), EWS, SC, ST, and PwD candidates is Rs 400. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Payment can be made online through credit card, debit card, net banking, or offline via E-Challan. The age limit as of January 1, 2026, is set between 21 and 40 years. Additional age relaxation may apply as per government norms. Salary and allowances Selected candidates will receive a monthly pay scale of Rs 16,900, along with applicable government allowances. Selection process The selection process for RSSB Support Engineer Recruitment 2025 includes the following phases: • Computer-Based Test (CBT) • Document verification • Final merit list Important dates and correction schedule As per the official notification issued on July 17, 2025, the start date for applications, last date to apply online, fee payment deadline, admit card release, and exam date will be announced shortly. Corrections in the application, if needed, will be allowed as per the schedule to be notified later. How to apply online for RSSB PHED recruitment 2025 Candidates can follow the steps below to apply online once the registration link becomes active: Step 1: Visit the official website at Step 2: Click on the recruitment link for Support Engineer Recruitment 2025. Step 3: Fill out the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and contact details. Step 4: Upload the required documents and pay the application fee through the available payment modes. Step 5: Submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference. Direct link to read and download the official notice for RSSB PHED recruitment 2025 Candidates advised to check official notification All applicants are strongly advised to read the full notification available on the RSSB or PHED official website before proceeding with the application. Further updates including the exact application start date and exam schedule will be posted on the official portal. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
