House Panel faults Units in Fly Ash Management

DHENKANAL: The Assembly Committee on Environment headed by Amar Prasad Satpathy came down heavily on Bhusan Steel Limited (BSL) and other industries in the district for lapses in disposal of huge fly ash and absence of pollution control measures. During its two-day visit to undivided Dhenkanal district, the panel observed serious lapses by various industries and poor enforcement of norms by the district administration.The panel visited BSL, Shakti Sugar Limited, MGM Company, BRG Iron & Steel Co. at Kurunti, Narbheram Power and Steel Pvt Limited, District Headquarters Hospital within Dhenkanal Municipality limits. The panel on Saturday held a meeting with the administration and officials from various departments and industries where it said the fly ash of BSL near its plant premises was creating heavy pollution.  It was also pointed out that BSL labourers are working amid unhygienic conditions and discharge of chemical water from the plant was polluting the Lingara nullah and the  Brahmani.  Committee members also directed BRG to clear slums from its plant premises and asked the administration to destroy all the slums within the industrial areas. Allegation of groundwater being tapped inside the BRG plant was also made by the panel members which was denied by the company. The panel was also critical of the pungent smell and pollution generated from Shakti Sugar.  “Dhenkanal lacks a proper planning on fly ash management,” Satpathy said and asked all the companies to adhere to pollution control norms as suggested by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The panel comprising Jitu Patnaik, Prafulla Majhi, Subrat Tarai and Sadhu Nepak also suggested an integrated plan for development in Dhenkanal and Angul districts and setting up of more water harvesting structures in the undivided district. Among others, District Magistrate Bishnu Prasad Panda, SP Satish Gajbhiye and ADM Babaji Charan Dash were present.