Bargarh: More than 600 inhabitants of Dunguri village under Ambavona block in this district continue to suffer from waterborne diseases as the companies extracting limestone from nearby quarries have reportedly turned a blind eye towards the peripheral development.
According to reports, there are huge deposits of limestone near the village, which is just 52 km away from the district headquarters town.
The limestone mines were under the state-run Idcol Cement Limited (ICL) about 40 years back. However, the mines came under ACC Limited, which took over ICL a few years back. Though there is law in place for companies to take care of peripheral development, the norm has been violated in this case, villagers alleged.
People of Tuli Hutting, Jena Hutting, BBC Hutting and Saharia Hutting have been deprived of basic amenities, it was learnt.
Forget about peripheral development, the authorities don’t even bother to maintain a community pond which was excavated over three decades back, some villagers said, adding, people suffer from skin diseases using contaminated water of the pond.
Several complaints with the mining authorities have not yielded any result so far, a villager Anand Barik said.
Surendra Nath Jena, a resident of Tuli Hutting, said they somehow manage to arrange drinking water but there is no provision in the area to take bath and meet other needs. The pond, excavated 35 years back near the ACC’s main gate, doesn’t serve any purpose since the water generates foul smell, he added.
“We are scared of taking bath in the community pond. Apart from skin ailments, people suffer from other waterborne diseases after taking a dip in its water. ACC authorities should take immediate measures to renovate the water body,” said Jema Shika , a woman of Dunguri village.
Though it is mandatory to undertake development activities in fringe areas, Dunguri mines authorities don’t even clean the community pond which is considered a lifeline for several people, alleged Ambika Shika.
When contacted, mining head Raj Gurung said he has no knowledge about the problems of the villagers. He would look into the matter and take measures, Gurun assured. PNN
