What happened: alleged chromium contamination affecting villages near the Ganga

A photo-feature in The Hindu alleges chromium contamination affecting villages in Uttar Pradesh near the Ganga. The feature describes visible indicators in areas linked to village life, including land staining, discoloured water drawn from a handpump, and discolouration near a chromium waste dump site. The photo-feature also claims that many affected communities are excluded from the state government’s official list of affected areas.

On-ground indicators mentioned near Chhiwali and Rania

The photo-feature highlights the following indicators near the two village-linked locations: Chhiwali and Rania.

Yellowish staining on road surfaces near a bridge by Chhiwali village in Fatehpur district.Discolouration at a chromium waste dump site in Rania in Kanpur Dehat district.Discoloured water drawn from a handpump near Chhiwali.The photo-feature states that the Ganga flows close to the affected villages.The photo-feature claims that many affected communities are not included in the state government’s official list of affected areas.

Earlier complaints and legal intervention: what the photo-feature claims

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