The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) issued closure notice to a rice mill in the district on Wednesday on the charge of polluting environment.
The Mahabali Modern Rice Mill in Kantigadia village was functioning from 2007 without obtaining any permission from the OSPCB. During an inspection last week, it was found that the rice mill lacks dust extraction from various points of dust generation starting from unloading section up to the paddy cleaning section.
The rice mill has also not constructed an effluent treatment plant. The mill has been releasing wastewater into the nearby fields. The mill emits huge quantities of carbon dioxide and ashes into the air, creating an obnoxious atmosphere in the area. The high sound made by the mill also disturbs the locals and the sound pollution also poses a health hazard. “Besides, the rice mill generated toxic water that has saturated the lands in the surrounding areas and affected the underground water for which we issued closure notice to the rice mill under section 33 (A) of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and under 31 of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,” said Regional Officer of OSPCB in Kalinganagar Anup Mallick.
Following complaint of the villagers, we inspected the mill and issued closure notice, added Mallick. The residents of Kantigadia and other villages claimed that they were suffering due to the rice mill which was spreading air and water pollution in the villages.
“The mill used rice husk as fuel, which released smoke and fly ash in the air. The dirty water mixed with chemicals was also discharged by boring deep into the earth. This water was getting mixed with underground water and polluting it,” said a villager of Kantigadia Prakash Patra
They demanded that the mill should be shifted from the village as people are suffering from various respiratory and other diseases.