There are allegations that untreated sewage water from the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, and waste and rains water from Cuttack town is discharged into the Taladanda and Machhagaon canals. The growing pollution in the water of the two canals has raised concerns among the residents of Jagatsinghpur district.
Not only has the aquatic life been adversely affected, the polluted canal water has been passing into villages and towns in Jagatsinghpur localities at Biribati, thereby posing health hazards to the residents. Meanwhile, the locals have raised alarms about dark- brownish colour contaminated water flowing in the canal.
The domestic waste water generated from households, commercial places, offices and healthcare units situated adjacent to the SCB are getting discharged into the Taladanda canal. Moreover, in locations at Chhatra Bazar, Andarpur, Rajahansa, Biribati and Bidyadharpur from Cuttack town, a substantial quantity of untreated wastewater and rain water is released into the Taladanda canal, creating serious pollution, they complained.
The Taladanda and Machhagaon canals are lifeline of Jagatsinghpur district, supplying water for irrigation of hundreds of acres land as well as water to industrial houses of Paradip both for drinking and commercial purposes.
The canal starts at Jobra from the river Mahanadi. After passing Cuttack city, it separates in two parts at Biribati as Taladanda and Machhagaon canals.
The water supply to these canals begins after pre monsoon rains start from early June each year and it continues till end of December before the pre harvesting season.
Water in these canals has started flowing two weeks ago but it is black and emanating stench carrying wastage both solid and liquid substances. Allegations are rife that substantial quantity of untreated wastewater generated from Cuttack city is being discharged into upstream of these canals.
“We have raised the issue of contaminated water in canal for several years, but nothing has changed,” rued many farmers, adding the polluted canal water not only affects cultivation but also creates manifold skin ailments for the farm labourers.
The Irrigation Department releases water from river only to dilute contamination but the quality of water sample is horrible. The Total Coliform Bacteria [TCB] level in the water is beyond prescribed standard, sources said.
Earlier the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) after assessing the water quality of Taladanda canal had reported that pollution level in the water was higher than prescribed limit, informed Dr Biswajit Ray, an environmentalist and social activist.
The Orissa High Court had directed that under no circumstances should there be any discharge of sewage and waste water to Taladana canal but the order is being ignored regularly, added Ray.
Jagatsinghpur Irrigation Division Executive Engineer Umakanta Mohanty informed that on July 7, 250 cusec of water has been released from Jobra, 150 cusec in Taladanda and 100 cusec in Machhagaon canals and supply would be increased this week.
He refuted the allegations that drain water and untreated waste water from Cuttack city is released into the canal but admitted that at a few places rain waters may be discharged due to waterlogging condition of Cuttack town.