With an aim to offer technological solutions to water problems in SAARC countries besides rural pockets of India, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is establishing an International Centre for Drinking Water Quality in Kolkata.
Pankaj Jain, Secretary in Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, told PTI today that roughly five per cent of water supply in rural areas suffers from contamination like arsenic chloride, salinity or nitrate.
"There are also new emerging contaminant like pesticides, heavy metals such as chromium and uranium. This Centre will not only do research but also offer technological solutions," he said.
The Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary said the problems of arsenic are common to Bangladesh, Nepal and neighbouring countries. "If they want to contribute or seek advise, both ways, and exchange of ideas, technology, research and knowledge that can be done. That's why it is international," he said.
"The registration of the Society would be done within ten days. We have also identified the land, which the government of West Bengal is offering to the government of India, and we would take possession of the land by mid-November,"
The Centre, first-of-its-kind in the country, would offer Diploma and Ph.D programmes on water quality as well, he added.
The Union Cabinet had in August given its approval to the proposal for establishing the International Centre for Drinking Water Quality in Kolkata. The Centre will be registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with the requisite manpower, building and support infrastructure.
