Rourkela: A discussion between residents of Mahipani and the Sundargarh district administration ended halfway, with the administration requesting seven more days to review the issue. The villagers are protesting the decision to dump fly ash in a local stone quarry, a vital water source for both humans and animals.
The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) ordered a corporate conglomerate from Jharsuguda to dump fly ash in the quarry, located in Mahipani. The quarry, nearly 40 feet deep, serves as a year-round water source for the villagers, and both domestic and wild animals. A consent order issued December 4, 2024 (No. 5740) permits fly ash dumping in an area of 1.5 acre in Mahipani.
The order is valid until 31 March 2025, allowing the filling of approximately 150,000 cubic metre of fly ash.
Over 400 villagers, led by environmental activist Nisha Mahato, demonstrated outside Bisra block office, demanding a meeting with Sub-Collector Bijaya Nayak.
Also Read: Tourism is in DNA of India: Union minister
Mahato reported that Nayak refused to halt the project, stating the government decision was final and that water would be supplied by tankers, which she called an inadequate solution.
Sarpanch Bicha Minz confirmed that the gram sabha unanimously opposed the dumping and no NOC was issued. Attempts to contact Nayak for comment were unsuccessful.
PNN
