Housing projects in Kolkata to undergo arsenic test

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to tackle the arsenic threat looming large over the residential areas of the city.

As per the new rules charted out by KMC, it has been made mandatory for promoters in certain parts of the city to get groundwater tested for arsenic before they can submit building plans.

The discovery of arsenic in hand-pumps on Ghulam Mohammed Shah Road and Prince Anwar Shah Road prompted KMC to take the unprecedented step. The rule applies to housing projects on EM Bypass and areas such as Dum Dum, Cossipore, Behala, Jadavpur and parts of Tollygunge.

As per the rules, a promoter will have to apply to the state water investigation directorate (SWID) to have the groundwater tested at the proposed construction site before he can apply for building plan sanction. Only if the test results are cleared, then the corporation will consider sanctioning the project.