"The ground water is just not safe in the city. That is why hordes of people suffer from diseases like gastroenteritis, typhoid, Hepatitis A and E quite frequently. We have found that there is a high presence of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori which causes increased acidity among the population here," said Dr HS Bindra, senior consultant gastroenterologist and head of the department at MD Oswal Cancer Hospital.

"Furthermore, the toxicity in water and food items washed with such water is high and can also lead to cancer besides DNA mutations," he said, hinting at the high levels of heavy metals - lead, chromium, nickel and cadmium - in the groundwater sent into the soil through solid waste, sewerage water and industrial waste which are all discharged through open sewer drains.

Besides, the name of Buddha Nallah is sufficient to evoke an eerie feeling which one feels when around this highly toxic and polluted water body of the city. The drain does not only exhale unbearable stench all the time but its water, which was once home to a numerous species of fish, contains quantities of lead, chromium cadmium and nickel and as per a study by a PAU soil chemist, their quantities are 21, 133, 280, 300 times higher than permissible limits.

Health experts also warn of lead poisoning due to industry pollution as some cases of the same have come to light in the city in which high lead quantity has been found in patients' blood. This affects nervous system and causes mental retardation, experts say.

... contd.