Jagatsinghpur: Two major canals such as Taladanda and Machhagaon and many of their branches have been the mainstay of irrigation in this coastal district. However, according to a report of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), these canals have become a bane of people’s lives here as the water flowing in these canals is highly polluted.
According to information available with the office of the executive engineer of irrigation division, 15 km from the provenance of the Taladanda canal at Jobra in Cuttack, Machhagaon canal has come out of it at Biribati. While Taladanda irrigates 22, 000 hectares of farmland in the district, Machhagaon takes care of 34,870 hectares. The former travels 80 km up to Paradip in the district.
Although the two canals are still termed the lifeline of the district from farming point of view, they pose a threat to the same agriculture and human lives because of the toxicity of their water. Social activist Gagan alleges the waste water along with effluents coming out from five places in Cuttack are released to Taladanda. The medical wastage from the city, particularly from SCB Medical College and Hospital is arguably the villain of the piece.
Earlier, people living near the canal took bath in its water while this has stopped now because of its highly contaminated water. However, some people are still seen taking bath and washing their utensils in it, putting their lives at risk.
The canal water has been taking a toll on the cultivation in this district. When its water seeps into the earth, it affects the crops.
Earlier, a petition in this regard was filed in the High Court. At the behest of the HC, the State Pollution Control Board carried out a test and found the presence of Total Coliform Bacteria (TCB) in the water. The court expressed concern over the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities and directed setting up of a sewage treatment plant. Though a treatment plant has come up in the meantime, it has treated only a little amount of water. Locals have urged the government to take necessary steps in this regard, failing which they would resort to a mass agitation.
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