Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Mar 24: The arsenic problem is on the increase at Pirgachha upazila under the district in
recent as times many people of the region have become affected by the problem in recent years.
Arsenic contamination of ground water may take serious turn at different areas of Pirgachha upazila in the district due to lack preventive measures, sources alleged.
Sources further alleged that owing to lack of required fund, the authorities concerned are yet to take adequate measures including supply of pure water in order to prevent arsenic contamination in the affected areas.
According to the district Public Health Engineering Department of Rangpur sources, in the year of 1998 elevated level of arsenic was found in Pirgachha upazila. During that time around 300 arsenic affected people were found at different areas under the upazila.
Besides, 12 persons of a family had been identified as arsenic affected people at Shikor village under Kandi union of the upazila.
Subsequently, the disease was detected at many other areas including village Chapra, Dadon, antoram, Baro Pansia and aladipara under the upazila. That time the contaminated tubewells had been sealed off.
Presently, a good number of people under the upazila affected by arsenicosis disease are passing life miserably. Though the authorities concerned installed some arsenic free tubewells and shallow pumps in the affected areas for their safety but most of them have gone out of order recently, rising the risk of arsenic contaminations, locals alleged.
Khadija Begum, a resident of Dadon village of the upazila, said she has been suffering from arsenicosis disease over the ten years, but could not get any assistance from the Upazila Health Complex.
Public Health Engineering Department Pirgachha upazila office sources said , due to lack fund the authorities are yet to take adequate measures to install more tubewells and shallow pumps or repair those are non-functional in the affected areas of the upazila.
In this situation the people of the upazila have urged the government to take necessary steps in this regard so that they can get rid of arsenic contamination.
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