Post News Network
Jajpur, Dec 27: Resentment is brewing among residents here as the authorities concerned, despite a High Court order, have not taken any measures to check pollution in Gandanala, a creek which has been contributing to pollution in river Brahmani and its tributary Kharasrota.
The Kalinganagar Development Authority (KNDA), the irrigation department and the industrial units responsible for pollution in the creek are reluctant to take measures to control it.
According to sources, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) acting on a High Court direction has ordered to initiate online water quality monitoring system in some areas on the banks of Gandanala. In a letter sent September 24, the SPCB asked the secretary of KNDA to prepare a long-term plan to check pollution in Gandanala. The KNDA was asked to implement the directive within a month from the date of receiving the letter.
In August 10, 2014, the SPCB had sent a similar letter to KNDA. But for the last 16 months, the KNDA has been ignoring the SPCB’s directive.
In August 28 this year, the High Court, hearing a PIL had directed the authorities to make Brahmani and its distributaries pollution-free in larger interests of the people. The chief secretary and the secretaries of industries, mining, water resources and environment and forest departments, the chairpersons of the SPCB and the Central Pollution Control Board and the collectors of Jharsuguda, Jajpur, Angul and Keonjhar were made parties in the case.
The SPCB in its letter November 12 again directed KNDA to prepare a detailed report on pollution of Gandanala. However, the online monitoring system has not been installed at the prescribed places.
It is alleged that as implementation of the system is expensive, the authorities are reluctant to take up the responsibility.
According to reports, effluents of Brahmani River Pellets Limited and Nilachal Ispat Nigam Limited are being released into Gandanala through a nullah in Bengapatia village. Besides, industrial waste from Tata Steel and other units in the locality is released into Gandanala and Kharasrota. The two water bodies along with river Tikira cause pollution in Brahmani.
Brahmani Banchao Abhiyan, a local outfit working to make the river pollution free, has apprised the government of the matter several times, but to no avail.
KNDA secretary Manguli Lenka said he does not have any authority over Gandanala. He had replied to the SPCB’s letter in this connection, Lenka said, adding the RWSS and irrigation department should come forward to install the online monitoring system. PNN
