Groundwater crisis in BBN industrial belt: Toxic chemicals exceed safe drinking water standards

IIT Mandi report reveals alarming contamination levels in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh region

Groundwater in the Baddi, Barotiwala, and Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt has been found severely contaminated with dangerous chemicals from industrial discharge, far exceeding Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drinking water norms. The alarming findings were revealed in reports submitted to Himachal Pradesh High Court by IIT Mandi and a Joint Committee.

Toxic contamination detected

The groundwater analysis revealed contamination levels exceeding safe limits for several dangerous substances including magnesium, cobalt, barium, lead, and uranium. These heavy metals and radioactive elements pose serious health risks to residents in the industrial corridor.

75 locations violate standards

The Joint Committee’s third progress report, filed on July 17, 2025, identified 75 locations where groundwater violated BIS drinking water standards. This comprehensive study was conducted following court directions issued on May 15 for preparing remedial action plans.

IIT Mandi’s status report, submitted on March 17, 2025, detailed the surface water and groundwater sample collection sites, with locations marked on a comprehensive map of the affected region.

Conflicting test results

A concerning aspect emerged when different testing agencies produced conflicting results from the same locations. At Mahadev site, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) found magnesium levels exceeding limits, while the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) found no magnesium contamination.

While CGWB and HPSPCB laboratories found parameters like manganese, nickel, copper, chromium, zinc, iron, cobalt, selenium, and arsenic within safe standards, IIT Mandi’s report contradicted this, finding 21 locations where these parameters exceeded safe limits.

Monitoring challenges

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) monitoring could not be conducted due to lack of facilities. The committee has proposed sending samples to the Central Ground Water Board for analysis, with TOC parameters to be tested during the next monitoring phase in August.

Court proceedings

The reports were presented during hearings on a groundwater pollution petition before Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma. The court accepted the committee’s request for additional monitoring and adjourned the case until the next report is submitted. The next hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025.

The BBN region, home to hundreds of pharmaceutical and chemical industries, now faces a critical environmental challenge requiring immediate remedial action to ensure safe drinking water for thousands of residents.