ANGUL:People living in the Angul-Talcher industrial belt, who are at the receiving end of pollution by industries, have resented lack of action by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) against the errant companies.
The area has been ranked seventh among 14 most critically polluted industrial clusters of India, as per a report of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The pollution levels were judged according to air, water and noise parameters.
According to environmentalists Prasanna Behera and Purna Chandra Sahu, air pollution has turned acute in the district due to poor management in disposal of fly ash and operation of scores of illegal stone crushers besides the sponge iron units. Most of the stone crushers are operating illegally adding to the pollution. Besides, the sponge iron units in Rengali, Talcher and Angul give two hoots to pollution control norms.
Moreover, layers of black particles have appeared on river Brahmani water at Talcher town and downstream raising concern among lakhs of people dependent on it. But, no step has been taken by pollution board officials despite several pleas to tame industries for saving Brahmani, the lifeline of six districts. Besides, there is acute dust and noise pollution across the industrial belt which has been continuing unabated due to lack of measures to control it.
Moreover, public hearings for new industries and expansion of existing ones are held without informing the locals to be affected by the projects. The board officials here are also not accessible unlike their predecessors.
Regional officer of OSPCB S Dash said actions have been initiated to control the pollution.
