Odisha Govt Directs SPCB To Strictly Enforce Anti-Pollution Measures In Industries Near Hirakud Reservoir

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Thursday directed the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to strictly enforce the pollution control measures in the aluminum smelter plants operating near Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur district.

Speaking on the issues related to air quality and monitoring of pollutants generated by the industries at a meeting of the SPCB, chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra directed to ensure zero discharge of the fluoride by the industries to the reservoir.

“The industries should properly dispose of the fluoride generated in their campus without contaminating ground water of the area. The SPCB should conduct a detail study on the waste discharge by these industries and its impact on the wildlife,” Mahapatra said.

It was revealed at the meeting that on the instructions of the chief secretary, 145 industries under 17 highly polluting categories have been instructed to install high density internet-based surveillance cameras at suitable locations for viewing the stag and fugitive emissions. So far, 24 industries installed the cameras and 61 industries were in the process of installation.

The chief secretary also directed the SPCB to make people aware of the contributions of urban forests towards a healthy life. “The urban forests have great contributions towards healthy lives of the people, maintenance of the ambiance air quality, ground water level and bio-diversity in the cities. Besides, it adds freshness to the developmental interventions and promotes a green-ecosystem in the locality,” he added.

Other important matters that were discussed at the meeting included implementation of the clean air programme in Ekamara Kshetra in Bhubaneswar and development of the database for environmental mapping in critically polluted areas of the state.

appraised that as per earlier instructions of the Chief Secretary Geo database for environmental mapping and web based GIS application were rolled out in Talcher. The system would also be put in place for the industrial areas in Rourkela, Keonjhar, Balasore, Kalinganagar, and Angul. Through the system, the pollution generation and disposal by the industries could be monitored thorough a web based online system from the Control Room itself. The proposals regarding delegation of more powers to the regional offices for quick decision making and expeditious implementation were also approved by the Chief Secretary in the meeting.

Member secretary, SPCB, Dr K Murugesan; director, Environment Sushanta Nanda; director, Broiler and Factories Dr N Thirumala Naik; expert members of SPCB Dr Ajit Patnaik, Prof Atanu Pati, and Dr G.K. Roy along with senior officers from the departments of housing and urban development, steel and mines, and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation participated in the discussions.