Mewat bears the brunt of Haryana's cancer crisis

Gurugram: Earlier considered a rare problem, cancer is now proving to be major health crisis in South Haryana. The worse affected by this crisis seems to be the Mewat region. Over the years, numerous cases have also been reported from Faridabad and Gurugram.

After five long years, the cancer ward at Gurugram's Civil Hospital is going to be opened again. The ward is expected to benefit over 2,000 patients, as the facility of a cancer ward is present in very few public hospitals in Haryana.

Residents of Sakaras, one of the largest villages in Mewat, have been suffering the brunt of cancer for long. According to an estimate, over fifteen people die every year of cancer.

The main reason attributed for the rise in number of cases is the contaminated underground water, on which its residents are depend.

The situation does not look brighter in Bandhawari either, located in the outskirts of Gurugram. With a large landfill site spread over an area of 30 acre, over 100 people have died due to cancer since 2013.

As per the directions of National Green Tribunal, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had conducted a sample test of the underground water in Bandhwari in September last year. The results proved to be a shocking revelation of how the water could make any person extremely sick.

Poisonous substances, like chlorides, nitrites manganese and calcium, in the sample were found to be present way above permissible limits. The presence of lead and mercury, the main cancer causing substances, was also found to be in large amounts.

Taking cognisance of the major health challenge caused by the extremely contaminated underground water, the Haryana government is building a lechate treatment plant. It is also planning to set up a waste to energy plant in the area.

The villagers, however, do not seem to be impressed by these moves and have planned to challenge it through legal means.

There were 4,592 deaths in 2017 in Haryana due to cancer. What can prove to be a warning sign for residents of Gurugram that it's neighbour Faridabad with 771 deaths was the leader.