PURI: Acute pollution in river Mangala has threatened fish and other freshwater species. A large number of fish are dying almost everyday for the past one week.
According to sources, the sewerage treatment plant on the banks of the river has failed to fulfil its purpose and the untreated waste water is entering the river, turning the water black. The water body is filled with slush and stench emanating from it makes the life of people of 11 villages located along the river miserable. The villagers depend on the river for their daily needs.
In 2013, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had inaugurated the 15 mld capacity sewerage water treatment plant near the river but the plant is non-functional for the last couple of months as a result of which untreated waste water finds its way into the river.
On Tuesday, the villagers demanded urgent measures to stop water and air pollution, failing which they have threatened to resort to agitation. Executive engineer in-charge of the plant was not available for comment.
