Waters of almost all the rivers in the State are polluted, and at many places water could not be used for drinking purpose.
Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Aarukh revealed it in reply to a question by BJP MlA Dillip Ray in the Assembly here on Tuesday.
The Minister stated that the State Pollution Control Board used to test the waters of nine major rivers out of 11 in 79 locations regularly. The waters were found polluted mostly due to biochemical oxygen and total Coliform bacteria.
In urban areas, the waters get polluted due to release of wastes into the rivers.
In view of a possibility of outbreak of various waterborne diseases, various projects have been undertaken by the Government at many places to make river water pollution-free.
The water is getting polluted in the Hirakud Dam reservoir and Ib, Mahanadi, Kathajodi, Kuakhai, Daya, Birupa, Shankh, Koel, Brahmani, Nandira, Kharsuan, Kushei, Baitarani, Salandi and Dhamra rivers, etc., due to release of wastes.
Reacting to the answer, Dilip Ray said that as the precautionary measures are not being taken by the Government for its remedy, the river waters are turning polluted and poisonous.
He suggested that the State Government undertake several effective programmes in coordination with public to make the river water pollution-free like the ‘Clean Ganga’ project launched by the Centre.