Jharsuguda: The eastern zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Kolkata has directed a joint committee to investigate allegations of pollution in the Ib river and illegal extraction of groundwater by an industrial unit in Jharsuguda district.
A petition was filed by Digambar Bhoi against Odisha Metallics Pvt Ltd, an industrial unit at Marakuta under Jharsuguda Sadar block.
The petitioner alleged that the company operates more than 50 high-capacity borewells during summer and extracts groundwater on a large scale without proper authorisation.
The petition also alleges that the company draws excessive water from the Ib River instead of adequately utilising its rainwater harvesting facilities.
According to the petitioner, this could affect the river’s natural flow and adversely impact the water requirements of local communities.
Another allegation concerns the company’s Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) obligations.
The petition claims that about Rs 15 crore earmarked for CER activities for 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years had not been spent.
Taking note of the allegations, the NGT bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert members, A Senthil Vel and Ishwar Singh, directed a fact-finding investigation.
The tribunal has constituted a joint committee comprising the Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and the Jharsuguda District Collector.
The committee will visit the site and conduct an independent assessment in the presence of the petitioner and representatives of the industrial unit.
The committee has been directed to submit its report within one month. Based on its findings, the competent authorities will take appropriate action in accordance with law.
The Jharsuguda Collector has been designated as the nodal agency for coordinating the process.
The NGT passed the order August 10, which was made public August 18.
The allegations made in the petition are yet to be established, and the joint committee’s findings are expected to determine the factual position.