Bandipora, Feb 2: The level of water contamination in various blocks of Bandipora district has increased three-fold due to the projects undertaken by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), making it unfit for human consumption, reveals the chemical and physical analysis report conducted by State National Institute of Technology.
 This startling fact was revealed during tests conducted in the laboratory of National Institute of Technology Srinagar on water samples collected by District Development Commissioner Bandipora after massive protest by the locals against the pollution of water resources by HCC.
 The report revealed that the contamination of water is now alarming and can lead to an increase in water-borne and insect-borne diseases in the adjoining villages including Kralpora, Kaloosa, Pazalpora, Mantrigam and other areas near the Power House Site and Main Tunnel.
 “The polluted water can neither be used for the human consumption nor for washing purposes,” report said.
 “A significant percentage of water samples from Bonar Nallah, Kralpora spring and Mantrigam streams were found to be unfit for drinking as well as washing,” said an official of the state Health services.
 “All the samples had a significant amount of microbial and chemical contamination,” he told Greater Kashmir on the conditions of anonymity.
 The physical and chemical analysis report of NIT endorsed by the District Development Commissioner’s   order under number DCB/IAF/2012/12-18 Dated, January 24, revealed that the pollution had created chemicals disturbance in the water flowing near the project site where HCC is operating.
 It reveals that “the total dissolved solids in water are 1340 mg/l which should have been otherwise only 500mg/l. Similarly the pH value of water has increased from 13 from 6.5 percent; the range of Chlorides has decreased from normal 250-1000mg/l to 48 mg/l.”
 The report reveals that the hardness of water has increased to 780 mg/l from 300-500 mg/l. “The alkalinity of the water has increased to 1210 mg/l.”
 The report has revealed that the water pollution has increased in Pazalpora and Kralpora areas.
 Meanwhile, the District Development Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmed Lone has advised HCC to take care of the surrounding environment and the water resources, which were mostly used by the locals in the area for drinking and washing purpose.
 Lone asked the HCC to install six inches pipes to drain out the water and has framed three member committees of ADDC, ADC and DFO who will look into the growing pollution of water resources and the remedial measures thereof.
 Earlier, massive protests were held against the Hindustan Constriction Company for polluting the water resources by illegally draining out the polluted water from main tunnel, casting yard and power house into the crystal clear water of Bonnar and Madhumati streams which are the main sources of drinking water for the whole Bandipora township and its adjoin villages. HCC is executing the 330 Megawatt Kishen Ganga Hydroelectric Power Project in Bandipora.
 “The manifold increase in water pollution is mainly due to the percolation of leachate (toxic waste that seeps from garbage) into nearby water streams,” a medical officer told Greater Kashmir, adding “We have found that some unknown diseases have broke out in the area due to the use of polluted water.”

LOCALS ALLEGE GOVERNMENT INACTION, THREATEN
MIGRATION
 The locals have accused the HCC of throwing the government order to winds by diverting the water to other channels rather than constructing the filtration plant and the sedimentation tanks to filtrate the polluted water. “From the very beginning of the protect construction, HCC management has always behaved like autocrats and never bowed to the government orders neither are respecting public appeals,” said locals in the Darhama and adjoin villages.
 “HCC was asked to construct the filtration plant and the sedimentation tanks to filter the water before it drains into the nearby streams, but instead, it diverted the polluted water to the other channels like Darhmama streams which has caused panic in the Bandipora.”
 “We are surprised that HCC management is paying no heed to the government order. They have diverted the polluted water to other water channels rather than constructing the sedimentation tanks and filtration plant,” said Gulzar Ahmed of Darmahama.
 “If the government failed to tackle the growing pollution, we have no option other than to migrate from the area” locals told Greater Kashmir.  We appeal to the Chief Minster, Omar Abdullah to look into the matter.
AUTHORITIES SAY
 Repeated attempts to contact HCC Project Manager proved futile.
 However, Additional District Development Commissioner Bandipora, Ghulam Muhammad Barkaboo who is also heading three member Committee told Greater Kashmir that they have received the report which has revealed manifold increase in the water pollution in the area. “The work has been halted till HCC assures of the environmental safeguards in the areas.” “We suggested the remedial measures to HCC so that the surrounding water streams can be saved for further pollution.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST