Bhubaneswar: Two major rivers of Odisha have more than specified level of pollutants, according to the information provided by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pradip Kumar Amat in the Assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question of BJD legislator Amar Prasad Satpathy, Amat said the water of Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers have been found to contain more than the specified levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total coliform (TC).
Quoting the test reports of river water conducted by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in 2021 and 2022 (January to April), the Minister said the BOD and TC were found to be higher than the specified limits in the water of Mahanadi and Brahmani.
Stating that the OSPCB tests water quality of 11 main rivers at 129 places in the state, he said the pollution has been attributed to the discharge of wastewater into the rivers in urban areas and instream use of the water.
He further said the Pollution Board has been informing the municipalities of the areas, where the water has been found to be polluted, and advising to take preventive steps. Besides, the Housing and Urban Development department, Public Health department and Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) have been informed.