The Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Jajpur has reportedly directed the Tata Steel not to discharge poisonous and pollutant substances to a natural spring flowing inside its plant area at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district.

The OSPCB has asked the company to make a plan to keep the fountain free from pollution.

According to reports, the spring water mixed with waste water of the Tata Steel plant flows to the Gandanullah near Sarangpur chhack. As a result, pollution level of the Tata Steel waste water is not ascertained clearly. Even sometimes, the company discharges poisonous substances like cyanide and phenolic compounds into the spring, creating lots of problems for the residents of Kalinganagar.

The company’s water need is likely to be increased manifold as it has plans to expand its capacity from current 3 million tonne to 8 million tonne. It has also signed an agreement with the Water Resources Department for use of more water from the Brahmani river. As per the agreement, it would use 22 cusec water between November 1, 2017 and March 31, 2020 and 37 cusec water from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, 45 cusec water from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2025, 60 cusec water from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2030 and thereafter 74.32 cusec water.

In view of this, locals have expressed apprehensions that Gandanullah water would be polluted more if the company doesn’t treat its waste water from now.

Notably, there was no mention about its hot strip or rolling mill in the environment clearance availed by the company.

Earlier, villagers of nearby Champakoili, Kalamatia, Hating, Nuagaon and Sarangpur were dependent of the waters of small fountains of Badasuni Hill, located to the south of the plant. After establishment of the plant, the spring inside its campus.

Locals have alleged that the company is discharging its waste water without treatment. As a result, villagers and their domestic animals have suffered from various waterborne and skin diseases.

In 2017, the SPCB had asked the company to separate surface water and waste water.  But the company has not done it as it would be expensive.

SPCB, Kalinganagar Regional Officer Pramod Kumar Behera said a section of media that no poisonous substance is found in the water of Tata Steel passing at Sarangpur chhak bridge. He said the company authorities have been directed to prepare a master plan for keeping the fountain in its campus free of pollution.