People in riparian areas are said to contract various diseases since they use the polluted water of Salandi and bathe in the river
Bhadrak: River Salandi, said to be lifeline of Bhadrak, is increasingly getting polluted, thanks to drain water, dirt and garbage being released into it. Besides pollution, siltation has narrowed the river and reduced its depth at some places.
The water flow in the river has also slowed down. Hadagada dam, built upstream, has led to controlled flow of water. The river originates in Hadagada area and flows 103 km down before merging with the Bay of Bengal.
Salandi waters irrigate thousands of acres of farmland in Keonjhar and Balasore districts. Locals say due to the river, the groundwater in riparian areas is always recharged and drinking water is available from a depth of 20 to 30ft.
Salandi is somewhat synonymous with Bhadrak. Many institutions, commercial establishments, and organisations in the district and even outside of it have been named after the river. The district administration has been celebrating a festival called Saladi Utsav every year, showcasing its culture.
Over the years, waste water from various institutions, offices, commercial establishments, etc is being released directly into the river system at various locations like Baudapur, Sahapur, Uparbaghurai, Januganj, Jagannathpur, Mathasahi, Rajghat, Kuansa, Bankasahi, Nangamahala, Rajghat, sub-jail area and Court Line.
People in riparian areas are said to contract various diseases since they use the polluted water and bathe in the river. The municipality is supposed to treat the sewerage and drain water before releasing it into the river, but this is not being done, locals alleged.
Some officials of the Salandi canal division, who are looking after the river’s protection and its renovation, squarely blamed the Bhadrak Municipality for the pollution of the river. They said that funds are necessary to carry out renovation of Salandi.
At many places, the river has been choked with garbage, wild reeds and hyacinth. The authorities concerned have reportedly spent Rs 15 lakh in the past, but the river is still teeming with wild creepers. At some places, the river resembles a green playground due to hyacinth, locals said.
PNN