Fluoride found in water supplied to 85 Nagpur district villages; Rs 26.40 crore plan prepared

Schemes are under way in Nagpur district to supply clean and safe water under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with crores of rupees being spent on them. Even so, it has emerged that water containing fluoride is being supplied to 85 villages in the district.

Ramtek tehsil has the most of these villages, at 20, followed by Kuhi tehsil with 18. High fluoride in water carries a risk of harming people's health.

In view of this, Zilla Parishad CEO Vinayak Mahamuni said new water sources will be developed for these villages. Arrangements will also be made to treat the water through defluoridation.

According to Mahamuni, new water sources will be developed in 26 villages of the district, while defluoridation work will be done in 56 villages. About Rs 26.40 crore in funds has been stated as necessary for these works.

The money will be provided through the District Mineral Fund and the District Planning Committee (DPC). While extending the reach of water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission, maintaining water quality will also be essential. After the proposed special scheme, it is hoped that people in these 85 villages will eventually get safe, fluoride-free water.

High fluoride levels in water raise the risk of bone disease (fluorosis), joint pain and yellowing of teeth among villagers. For this reason, local people and elected representatives are demanding that the project be completed as soon as possible.

The Nagpur district administration has assured that once funds are received, the tender process will be completed and work will begin within the timeline, so that villagers get relief from the danger of contaminated water.

Zilla Parishad, Nagpur CEO Vinayak Mahamuni said, "There is a plan to provide pure drinking water to citizens. Efforts have also begun for this. Under it, there are proposals to develop new water sources and to set up defluoridation units."