Cuttack Sadar: Amid spread of jaundice in the district, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation has reportedly been releasing polluted water to the lower catchment areas of Jagatsinghpur district through Taladanda canal clandestinely. Sources said despite a ban imposed on release of Taladanda water by State Pollution Control Board, the CMC is releasing 50 cusec water during night hours. The Mahanadi South Division had earlier written to the CMC not to release water along Taladanda canal. However, CMC executive engineer (public health) Umakanta Garabadu rubbished the allegation of releasing polluted water. The canal water was found highly unhygienic after laboratory tests by the SPCB revealed alarming levels of total coliform bacteria and other pollutants in the water samples. People in lower catchment areas of the canal use the water for several purposes. PNN
