Jajpur: An Assembly Committee which visited the Kalinganagar Industrial Estate July 2 and July 3 had promised displaced people in nearby villages that their problems would be solved, and had directed the companies to execute development projects, but nothing has been done in this regard, a report said.
The Committee had also criticised the industrial units for creating pollution in the area.
The displaced tribals affected by pollution had hoped that their problems would be solved soon, but nothing happened even through two and a half months have passed since the Assembly Committee’s visit. No action has been taken on the promises made to the displaced people on anti-pollution measures.
The people living in Sarangpur, Baragadia, Trijanaga Colony, Barpal, Tangarasahi, Chandia, Arasahi, Kudumisahi, Gobaraghati, Sansailo and Bitaramania villages are still suffering from pollution.
Many of them have TB, kidney problems and cancer, believed to have been caused by the severe air and water pollution.
The development of facilities like healthcare, education, transport and pollution control has taken a back seat in these villages. The House Committee had taken note of these issues.
The Committee headed by Deputy Speaker Sudam Marndi visited these villages, and had held a review meeting at Nilachal House on the problems facing displaced people.
At that meeting, no representatives of companies operating there, except the MD of Nilachal Ispat, were present. The absence of company owners at the meeting indicated that the House Committee did not matter to them at all. There were also reports that the House Committee perhaps had not informed the Chief Minister about the meeting.
Locals said the House Committee might have arrived at some kind of understanding with company owners, and as a result their problems have not been taken seriously by them.
Kalinganagar ADM Santosh Kumar Mishra said the RD department has been asked to take care of the roads in Kalinganager Industrial Estate. If the department fails to do it, the PWD will be tasked with it, and efforts are on to solve other problems, he added.
PNN
