India relies heavily on groundwater: 85% of rural drinking water and 2/3 of irrigation. Relentless extraction is rapidly deteriorating its quality nationwide
The crisis is no longer isolated. Many regions simultaneously exceed safe limits for uranium, nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, salinity, and heavy metals
Alarming uranium contamination spans North India. In Punjab, over 60% of samples exceeded limits. ~20% of national samples also show dangerous nitrate levels
Contamination stems from sinking water tables releasing toxins (e.g., uranium), plus fertiliser runoff, industrial waste, mining, and untreated sewage
Risks include fluorosis, arsenicosis, nitrate poisoning, and cancer. Contaminated irrigation reduces yields and introduces toxins into the food chain
Requires a national mission: better farming practices, community RO units, strict industrial norms, aquifer recharge, and detaching water rights from land ownership