The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has served a guideline to the mines and allied industries of Sundargarh district to take adequate precautionary measures to arrest practice of mines wastes directly flowing into river during rainy season.
It has asked them to complete the formalities latest by June 15. Significantly, these wastes have been a major contributor to river pollution in the district, particularly during rainy season. Sources said as many as 24 units of Koira mining sector of Sundargarh district have been served notices by the SPCB Rourkela office recently, with a directive to comply with the guidelines, latest by June 15.
“Considering the fact that during rainy season, surface run ups from mines and other allied industrial units normally flow into river along with the rain water and become a major source of river pollution, we have taken up measures to stop the practice,” said Regional Officer, SPCB, Rourkela M Mahalinga.
Significantly, in last few years during rainy season, complaints were lodged by locals before the SPCB officials that the river water was becoming red in colour.
Sources said, more often than not, the leftover solid particles of the mines in operation normally flow into the river along with rain water and cause river pollution. For arresting these practices, the SPCB has served a15-point guidelines to be followed by the mining units. Most importantly, a settling tank has to be constructed at each unit, which would be the receiving point of all water outlet of that unit, sources said. Only the excess water from the tank, after proper filtering, would be allowed to proceed, sources added. The units have also been asked to submit their action taken report on the guidelines of the SPCB, particularly with details of their water outlets.
Significantly, Bhaskar Steel and Ferro Alloys limited near Tumkela under lahunipada block of Bonei sub-division had been served show cause notice and penalised of about Rs 8 lakh for dumping char coal near Brahmani river and for polluting it.