Villagers of Hirma, Badmal,Tareikela, Harekrushnapur and Kukurjanga living near SMC Power Generation limited have accused the plant management of creating large scale pollution.
The plant emits fly ash forcing the residents to lead a miserable life. Exposed to dust pollution, many villagers are now affected by skin and respiratory diseases.
Harekrushnapur Jagganath temple priest Hurdaynath said fly ash was floating everywhere, including cultivated land, temple, trees, rooftops, verandas and even inside houses of the nearby residents.
The fly ash is coming from Kondajor fly ash sites, where the SMC plant has been dumping fly ash. And it is affecting not only Hirma villagers but a dozen other villages of Jharsugada.
Hirma Sarpanch Anita Bhainsha said such is the extent of pollution that people sleeping outside their houses at night are covered with a layer of black dust by the morning. The issue of air pollution from fly ash dump is severe, especially in summer.
The villagers alleged that if anybody protests against it, he is implicated in false cases.
The plant was established in 2004 with production capacity of 1.5 lakh tonnes of TMT bar annually and 42 MW Capative Power Plant (CPP) from two kiln lines and has employed 550 regular and 170 contractual workers.
Vice president of the plant Ashok Taneja said, "We have poured soil over fly ash stock and therefore, fly ash is not flying due to wind anymore. So we expect that the villagers will stop their agitation soon.”Odisha Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) Regional Officer Niranjan Mallick said officials have been sent for spot verification and action will be taken on receipt of reports.