Bhubaneswar: At least 16 stretches across major rivers in Odisha have been identified as polluted, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia informed the Assembly Tuesday.
The polluted locations include parts of the Kathajodi river in Cuttack, the Daya river and the Gangua nullah in Bhubaneswar, Kushabhadra near Bhingarpur near Gop, and stretches of the Brahmani and Guradi nullah in Rourkela.
The minister said most of the contamination is caused by untreated urban wastewater and excessive extraction of river water.
Urban local bodies have been instructed to prevent direct waste discharge into rivers, while district administrations, the Urban Development department, Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO), and Water Supply & Sanitation authorities have been directed to act in coordination.
“Measures are also underway to enhance river flow, develop riverfronts and construct toilets to curb open defecation near riverbanks,” he said.
Meanwhile, a recent assessment report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) titled ‘Polluted River Stretches for Restoration of Water Quality – 2025’ indicates that Odisha has recorded substantial progress in river water quality improvement.
Based on 2022–23 monitoring data, the report states that only 13 locations across six rivers failed to meet the Primary Water Quality Criteria for bathing (BOD < 3 mg/L).
The CPCB highlighted Odisha among the better-performing states, noting that 14 river stretches previously classified as polluted in 2018 are no longer in that category, reflecting the impact of ongoing sewage treatment and water restoration projects.
The report noted recovery in three stretches: Gangua improved from the most critical Priority Class I to Priority Class III, Kathajodi moved from Priority Class III to V, and Daya shifted from Priority Class IV to V.
However, six polluted stretches still demand urgent attention.
The Gangua stretch from near Rajdhani College to Vadimula remains the state’s highest-priority concern.
The CPCB has urged intensified action to bring all polluted stretches to bathing water quality standards.