The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State Government to take step to curb Dhanei river water pollution by a country liquor manufacturing unit in Polsara Notified Area Council (NAC) in Ganjam district.
Acting on a petition filed by Anchalika Nagirika Surkhya O Adhikar Manch president Brundaban Behera, the NGT Eastern Zone bench consisting of Justice Pratap Kumar Ray (Judicial member) and Prof Pramod Chandra Mishra (Expert member) directed the Chief Secretary, Excise Department Secretary, Odisha State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary, Ganjam Collector, Chatrapur Public Health Division Executive officer and Polsara NAC Executive Officer to file reports within four weeks.
The bench also directed the State Government to take necessary action in accordance with law.
The petitioner alleged that due to the release of dirty water of a country liquor manufacturing unit run by one Ranjan Kumar Pradhan and Debadulla Sahu the nearby Dhanei river water is getting contaminated.
“The Dhanei river water is the only source of potable water used for drinking purpose of about 10,000 people of the Polosara NAC and 5,000 people of Mathura panchayat. Due to the dumping up of the wastes and effluent water the portability of river water is affected seriously and its consumption is causing serious health hazards in this region,” said the petitioner.
Besides, the very manufacturing and sale of liquor at the entry point of the Polsara NAC was tremendously influencing the life style of the people, the petitioner had alleged.
The tribunal has fixed November 10 as the next date of hearing.