Post News Network
Jajpur, April 3: Even as the industries and administration claim that lakhs of rupees have been pumped in for environment protection and development of peripheral region of Kalinganagar industrial area in the district, rising pollution level continues to spread diseases and claim lives of people here.
Two more persons including a young woman of Suanla village of Dhuligada panchayat under Danagadi block died of tuberculosis (TB) Wednesday. They were identified as Rajani Nayak (23), wife of Nakul Nayak, and Chhota Munda (22), son of Rupia Munda. At least 55 persons of the village have died of TB in last two years, a report said. Worse, several other villagers are also suffering from unknown
diseases, because of the pollutants emanating from the industries.
Coal dumping yards near the village, dust and fumes generated from Jindal steel plant and scarcity of safe drinking water have led to this
situation, villagers alleged, adding, an environmental disaster is just round the corner.
According to reports, hundreds of coal-laden trucks from two coal dumping yards along Suanla village ply daily through Kalinganagar. Villagers of Patra Sahi, Dehuri Sahi, Majhi Sahi, Brahmana Sahi and Suanla Sahi suffer from TB and jaundice due to the dust and smoke generated by these vehicles. Many residents also suffer from unknown diseases. “It is not only the dust or smoke, people are dying of
unknown diseases after consuming the contaminated water of the area,” Duryodhan Patra of Suanla said.
Patra blamed Jindal authorities for polluting Ganda Canal which flows along the village. Though the issue has been raised by the media several times and the administration has been apprised about the problems, nothing has been done in this regard, another villager Laxmi Munda said.
While the industries with the backing of government are violating pollution control norms, health department is yet to send a medical team to take stock of the situation, the villagers alleged. Unless, some preventive measures are taken soon, the region would be left without human beings, they added.
ADM Bharat Chandra Behera said, “Lakhs of rupees have been spent for peripheral development and environment protection. Necessary action would be taken soon to address the issue.”