145% Increase Reported in Arsenic-affected Habitations in Last Five Years

As per data submitted by the Jal Shakti Ministry, the arsenic-affected habitations have surged by 145% in the last five years. The ministry stated in the Lok Sabha that, as on September 17, 2020, there are 4,421 arsenic-affected habitations, which numbered 1,800 in 2015. Reportedly, most of these habitations fall in Ganga and Brahmaputra plains of Assam, Bihar, UP and Bengal. Assam has the highest (1,853) habitations, followed by Bengal.