Balasore: A reported plan to supply river and groundwater to industrial units has raised the concern of environmentalists here.
Balasore Civil Society, a local outfit, came out with an allegation that the district administration has been consistently making efforts to provide water from river Budhabalanga to industrial units.
The outfit Monday submitted a memorandum to the collector in this regard. According to reports, a project to draw river water had been halted, but its work resumed recently.
Describing Budhabalanga as the lifeline of Balasore and Mayurbhanj, members of the outfit said, “Deep bore-wells are being dug out along the river basin to supply water to industrial units. If water is supplied in a mindless manner to industries, it will severely impact the agrarian sector, besides leading to a drinking water crisis.”
Budhabalanga meanders through Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts for 175 km before merging with the Bay of Bengal.
“The river plays a pivotal role in maintaining the region’s ecological balance. Lakhs of farmers depend on it for farming needs. Sadly, the administration has initiated efforts to dedicate the river to industrial units for exploitation of its water. Biswa Infrastructure, a private company, has been permitted to draw water from the river without the knowledge of the people of the district. The company has been carrying out its work on a war footing,” the activists claimed.
The river basin will be left dry if water is drawn and supplied to industries. It will take a heavy toll on ecological balance in both the districts, they added.
Referring to a programme held over the issue a few months ago, the activists stated that noted environmentalist Dr Rajendra Singh and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patekar among others had warned against wanton exploitation of river water.
A former collector had assured them of not allowing the river water for industrial use, the activists said, adding the project work, which was halted for a few days, has now resumed.
“We demand a halt to this project in the large interests of the people of the districts,” secretary of the outfit Manoj Nayak said. PNN