Residents of Damodar valley Corporation (DVC) colony today said they stopped going for morning walks owing to dust pollution in each and every road of Bokaro thermal. We have complained about the issue but our pleas fall on deaf ears of DVC civil department, said the residents of GM colony, station road. They alleged that the DVC management is flouting norms laid down by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as heavy vehicles are running in residential colonies.
The residents said there is a huge quantity of dust that flies off the road and make lives difficult for residents of 5-6 societies located on either side of it. “The dust has been a huge problem and is a health hazard,” said MK Chaudhay, a resident of GM Colony.
According to information more then 50 to 60 heavy vehicles of St Paul school and local businessmen have been running every hour on stretch of road in GM Colony. “Every day, dust and fly ash envelop in our area. Due to this, people are contracting diseases. Children are not able to go out and play,” Chaudhary added.
Residents also said elderly people have stopped going for morning walks. “All elderly people in our society used to go for morning walks, but due to the dust, they can’t go out now. The condition of air is already deteriorating. This area in particular is among the worst sufferers,” said a resident.
Locals said a delegation of residents held protests in the area last month and also met the DGM of DVC, PK Singh. “The DGM assured he will put pressure on management of St Paul Modern school to follow green norms,” he said.
Efforts to contact CE &Project head Kamlesh Kumar for comments went in vain.