Lok Sabha Question No. 2523 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Arsenic-affected Habitations in Assam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2523

ANSWERED ON -13/03/2025

## ARSENIC-AFFECTED HABITATIONS IN ASSAM

## 2523. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of arsenic-affected habitations in Assam and the number of these habitations covered with mitigation measures under the Jal Jeevan Mission since 2019;

(b) whether there are any discrepancies between Central and Assam State data on arsenic affected habitations yet to receive mitigation measures and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any arsenic-safe well designed by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) have been constructed in Assam; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) and (b)     As reported by State of Assam in the Integrated Management Information System of JJM, there were 3,151 Arsenic affected habitations at the start of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Provision of safe drinking water through pipe water supply schemes has been made available in all these 3,151  habitations  as  on  10.03.2025.  The  Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB),  D/o  Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR) has informed that the CGWB's sampling locations and State habitation wise sampling locations are different. Therefore, Arsenic affected ground water data of CGWB and JJM are not comparable. However, CGWB is regularly sharing its database through Ground Water Year Book, Ground Water Quality Report and also through fortnightly quality alert along with mitigation method with State Government.

(c) and (d)    CGWB has shared the design of Arsenic free well with State departments including State JJM and CGWB have informed that the State JJM Department has shared it with all its field units. However, as also informed, CGWB has not constructed any Arsenic free wells in Assam.

A  Handbook  on  Drinking  Water  Treatment  Technologies  was  released  in  March  2023  to disseminate  information  regarding  new  technologies  available  amongst  all  stakeholders  to improve the performance and implementation drinking water treatment plants using technologies that address local issues and challenges faced in water-quality affected villages. The States may take up appropriate water treatment system depending upon techno-economic feasibility.

Water being a state subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies  with  State/UT  Governments.  The  Government  of  India  supports  the  States  by  providing technical and financial assistance. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards' publication BIS:10500 are adopted as benchmark for ensuring the quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes.

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