With a number of cases lingering in courts, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has not been able to take concrete action against the firms that have violated pollution norms in industrial areas across the State.
According to sources, the mining regions such as Talcher, Angul, Jharsuguda and Ib Valley and industrial town Paradip have been identified as the worst polluted places in the State.
As many as 27 major industries operating in these regions have violated terms and conditions as well as norms set by the OSPCB. Sources said seven industries in Angul have violated pollution norms.
The situation is similar in Ib Valley where the MCl’s Samaleswari Opencast, Kulda Opencast, Basundhara West Opencast, lajkura Opencast and Belpahar Opencast coalmine areas have been identified as the worst polluted areas.
Firms such as Aditya Aluminium, Action Steel & Power, MSP Metallics, ll Metallics, Aryan Steel & Power, Shree Mahavir Steel, Shyam Metallics & Energy, Jai Hanuman Enterprise, Bhushan Power & Steel, Ultratech Cement and lN Metallics have been causing pollution in Jharsuguda.
According to Government information, pollution in the Paradip area is also on the rise. Although cases have been registered against several firms by OSPCB in the courts, judgment is still awaited for years.
Similarly, a case against Bhaskar Textile Mills had been filed by the OSPCB at the Jharsuguda SDJM Court in 1988. The matter is pending in the court for 27 years now. Cases have also remained pending in courts against Shree Sarada Rice Mill and Orient Paper Mill in Jharsuguda since 1996.
The pollution regulator had filed cases against Ib Thermal Power located at Banaharpali in 1997 and Brajarajnagar’s lajakura coalmine authorities in 1999. However, the cases are still pending in courts.