GUWAHATI: In view of reported massive contamination of water in the River Brahmaputra which has turned black and muddy along its course in parts of Assam, the state government has collected samples of water in various parts of the river’s course and sent the same for chemical analysis in Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad and IIT, Guwahati.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed the Director General of Fire Services to collect the Brahmaputra water samples various points on Brahmaputra course from Jonai to Dhubri and send the same them to Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and IIT, Guwahati.
The Director General, Fire Services, AP Rawat informed that water samples of Brahmaputra River were collected from altogether 15 locations and had been sent to Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and IIT, Guwahati to test the water and zero in on the causes responsible for reported pollution of the river which is considered lifeline for Assam’s ecology and livelihood.
Admitting that the situation arising out of the contamination of the Brahmaputra water is “serious”, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has said the state government had taken up the matter with the Central government.
“Reports of tests of water samples conducted in various facilities in the state have indicated high levels of iron and bacteria in the Brahmaputra waters. The water is unfit for human consumption. We are concerned. Both I and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu have taken up the matter of pollution of Brahmaputra River (in Assam) and Siang (In Arunachal) with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in detail,” he said.
Sonowal said the Home Minister has assured to raise the issue with China. “On our part, whatever steps is required to be taken, like conducting tests… we are doing it,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Assam Chief Minister and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi said that Brahmaputra River was considered the lifeline of Assam and threatened to launch ‘save Brahmaputra, save Assam’ agitation with the people of Assam.
“It’s unfortunate that our Prime Minister has not taken up the matter with China,” he said.
(EoM)
