JHARSUGUDA: Villagers living in Marakuta village near Action Ispat and Power Limited, a sponge iron manufacturing unit, have accused the plant management of resorting to large scale pollution. They said air pollution by Action Ispat has been affecting health of people and livestock.
Jharsuguda block president Pradipta Sahu said such is the extent of pollution that people sleeping outside their houses at night are covered with a layer of black dust by the morning.
Villagers alleged that if anybody protests against the pollution, he is implicated in false cases. They accused the plant of not operating the pollution control equipment during night to save power bill.
The situation is not different in peripheral villages of Pandripathar, Marakuta, Budhipatar and H Kantapali. The plant was established in 2005 with production capacity of 350 tonnes of sponge iron per day from two kiln lines and has employed 779 regular and 185 contractual workers.
Senior General Manager (HR) of the plant LR Bhatti refuted the allegation and said they have been adhering to all the pollution control norms. He said the plant management is open to any kind of verification.
Regional Officer of State Pollution Control Board Mukesh Mahalinga said a team would be formed to look into the complaints and action will be taken if allegations are found true.
