Industrial pollution has been playing havoc in Jharsuguda district with people suffering severe health problems and losing livelihood sources of agriculture and fisheries since long.
Mostly thermal power plants and coal mining activities by the MCl have played a big role for creation of a disastrous like situation. The perennial water sources like Ib, Bheden, lilari and Badkelo rivers have severely been affected due to mingling of untreated effluents of the industrial houses and coalmines.
In the lean period of summer, people of the district are facing acute shortage of water while the contaminated water has become only means for their livelihood. The Hirakud Dam reservoir too has been affected.
The Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), Sesa Sterlite and other power plants are releasing toxic effluents directly to the Hirakud Reservoir through its tributaries.
Sources confirm that effluents from the ash pond of power plant are containing toxic metals like arsenic, mercury, chromium and fluoride. Thermal plants nearby areas need further investigation and appropriate action plans for substantial control of water pollution.
Badkelo river which originates from Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh has become canal of industrial effluents of the neighboring State contributing pollution hazards for the Mahanadi as well as the Hirakud reservoir. The river once considered as lifeline of the bordering areas has turned to be a source of sorrow due to rapid industrialisation. The agriculture on Badkelo river bank has shrunk and, thus, the agrarian economy of the area has been affected. The flow of water in the summer season has decreased and the waterborne diseases are frequently occurring, say people of 10 villages.
The MCl’s lakhanpur, Belpahar, Samleshwary, lilari and lajkura opencast mines have polluted the lilari and lamtibabahal water bodies and other perennial water sources of the locality. The groundwater depletion due to mining activities has created acute water shortage, affecting life of people and flora and fauna. The presence of coliform bacteria in water is highly dangerous for human health.
“Every thermal plant is required to follow the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. But they are releasing toxic waste effluents into the water reservoir and tributaries,” said Water Initiative Odisha (WIO) convenor Ranjan Panda.
The authorities of Sesa Sterlite and OPGC, however, said people’s allegation of pollution being created by thermal plants by releasing effluents into water bodies are baseless and unfounded. They have been following a comprehensive and foolproof system to ensure maximum safety standard round-the-clock, the company authorities added.
In summers, though people agitate against the industrial pollution and demand intervention of the State Pollution Control Board(SPCB), yet the board has always kept mum over the issue, allege some intellectuals.
When contacted, SPCB Regional Officer-in-charge, Jharsuguda Hemendra Nayak said the board has always kept vigil on the development and promised to take steps to sort out water pollution problems.