Jajpur: Though the state government claims that stringent action is being initiated to curb industrial pollution, it sounds hollow with the illegal operation of a pre-mix bitumen processing unit in Tarangia panchayat under Dharmasala block of this district for the last one year.
The owner of the plant manages to run the factory in connivance with some officials of the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), it was learnt.
The illegally-run factory has not stopped production despite a closure notice was served a year ago and the silence of OSPCB raises questions over the transparency of the board.
According to a report, some influential people have set up bitumen processing units along national highways and in regions with dense population. This has made life miserable for the people living in the area.
The district administration had sealed 141 illegal crusher units in April and May for increasing pollution level in the region. However, it is learnt that a bitumen plant creates more pollution than what is created by 10 crusher units. Especially, the hot air generating from the plants in the summer season makes locals run for cover.
People raised this issue with the collector May 15 following which the OSPCB and labour department officials raided five such units at Saroi, Mandia and Balisahi.
The team led by environment scientist Bhimcharan Marandi submitted its report with the collector. Though the investigating team at that time claimed action would be taken after analysis of the report, nothing was done in this regard, alleged locals.
Some plants still continue to increase pollution levels in the area.
On the other hand, the owner of MDS Pre-mix Bitumen Plant submitted its Consent to Establish (CTE) letter with the department May 12, 2017. Though OSPCB didn’t approve the project citing discrepancies in documents, the owner set up the plant and began production under the nose of the department.
After receiving a complaint, OSPCB regional officer Anup Kumar Mallik in the last week of November asked Pramod Kumar Swain, the owner of the plant, to stop production immediately. However, the plant is still in operation thanks to the blessing of some influential local political leaders.
Mallik, when contacted, said the plant would be sealed with permission from the district administration if the owner doesn’t stop the production. PNN