Silicosis deaths rise as mining dust chokes villages in Rajasthan's Aravalli region
Residents of Syalodra and nearby villages in Rajasthan allege that mining dust is causing widespread silicosis, with dozens of deaths and limited government assistance.
In the Aravalli foothills of Rajasthan, villages such as Syalodra are grappling with a surge in silicosis, a fatal lung disease linked to inhaling silica dust from nearby stone crushing and mining activities. Families like Manisha's have spent their savings on treatment for husbands and sons who later died, while the Supreme Court-appointed panel conducting one outlet's review visited only a handful of districts, omitting many hard-hit communities.
A 2023 occupational health study highlighted that official portals list 23,436 certified silicosis cases and 6,876 deaths, but experts say the true burden is higher because certification requires multiple hospital visits that many cannot afford. Residents of Jodhpura-Mohanpura also report chronic breathing issues, skin ailments, and asthma in children, attributing them to constant blasting and dust from an UltraTech Cement mining site. Despite a survey documenting hundreds of health complaints, affected villagers say no rehabilitation or mitigation measures have been implemented.
Why it matters
The story highlights a public-health crisis tied to unchecked mining, affecting vulnerable rural communities.
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