The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, has started materialising the idea of setting up an integrated platform for the researchers of the top institutions of the country such as Atomic Mineral Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER), Hyderabad, and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, to provide the solution of contamination of heavy metals and uranium in the groundwater of Malwa region of Punjab.

·       In a meeting held between the top scientists of CUPB, BARC and AMDER, it was decided to set up a six-member high profile committee of the leading scientists, who would collaboratively work, to find out the real-time solution of the heavy metal and uranium in groundwater of Punjab and its surrounding regions.

·       It is pertinent to mention that this integrated platform is a brainchild of Prof Raghvendra P Tiwari, Vice Chancellor, CUPB, to find out the real time solution of contamination of heavy metals and uranium in the groundwater of Punjab.

·       Tiwari briefed that this integrated platform would generate ample of opportunities to research with premier institutions to promote collaborative research and to get access to high-tech research infrastructure.

·       He also mentioned that efforts would be made to rope in the Central Ground Water Board for collaborative research in future.

·       Prof Tiwari further assured that this will help in setting up a platform where best scientists would work together to find out an innovative solution for contamination of groundwater of Punjab.

·       Prof VK Garg, a leading environmental scientist, of CUPB, briefed that the thrust of discussion during interactive session was to find out sources of contaminants causing groundwater pollution, to study the impact of groundwater quality on the health of localities and to find out suitable solutions to this problem.

·       Dr Sunil Mittal, Associate Dean, School of Environmental Science & Technology, CUPB, shared the presentation on research projects conducted in the area of groundwater by faculty members of CUPB and discussed the challenges with expert scientists.

He shared the current status of groundwater quality in Malwa region of Punjab along with adjoining districts of Haryana and Rajasthan states.