Jajpur: The renovation of an intake well by Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) in river Brahmani at Pankapal for supplying 3,450 cft of water to industrial firms in Kalinganagar might further worsen the water scarcity problem in this district, a report said Tuesday.
The IDCO has not only renovated the intake well but has installed two high-powered motor pumps of 400kw each as against the 230kw and 250kw pumps installed earlier. It has also laid new pipelines.
This has been done to draw more water from the river which IDCO will supply through pipelines to various industrial firms in Kalinganagar. Locals alleged that the water resources department is sitting silent and has failed to act against the offenders.
The installation of two high-powered motor pumps will help IDCO draw twice or thrice the amount of water from the river than what it was drawing earlier. This will only encourage mindless theft of the water by industrial firms and will further worsen the water scarcity situation.
Sources said many mining, industrial and commercial firms are engaged in rampant theft of ground and surface water without entering into any contract with the water resources department.
As per an agreement, IDCO will supply 2200 cft of water to Tata Steel in Kalinganagar. Besides IDCO will supplying water to Nilachal Ispat, Visa Steel, Rohit Ferrotech and Maithan Ispat plants in Kalinganagar. These plants, apart from using the river water, have also dug up several bore-wells in their plant premises which have led to the depletion of ground water level in the area.
Orissa Post has published several reports in the past about various firms allegedly stealing ground and surface water in the district.
Instead of taking steps to check the water theft, the water resources department has waived over Rs 50 crore to IDCO as water cess.
As per norms, these firms need to sign a contract with the water resources department and install flow metre in their premises to find out the amount of ground water they are using.
When contacted, executive engineer Bhakta Charan Mohanty of the district water resources department said he has no knowledge about renovation of the intake well by IDCO and installation of high-powered motor pumps. However, he assured to discuss the issue with IDCO and take further steps. PNN
