No river in Odisha is categorised as ‘A’ and ‘B’ and a majority of rivers don’t even come under the ‘C’ category in term of well-marked level against pollution.
This was known from information submitted by Forests and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJP MLA Dilip Ray on Tuesday.
The State Pollution Control Board conducts tests on pollution level of all 11 mail rivers and their tributaries and branch rivers, which are 129 in number. Tests conducted between January and September this year revealed that both biochemical oxygen demand (DOD) and Total Coliform were seen at 22 places, BOD at one place and TC was marked at 62 places. What is worrisome is that places where river water is of ‘C’ category are used as drinking water sources following purification and disinfection processes.
DOD and TC amount is more in Ib at Jharsuguda, Mahanadi a Sambalpur and Cuttack, Kathjodi at Cuttack, Serua at Sankhtras, Kuakhari, Daya and Gangua at Bhubaneswar as per the tests. These places come under ‘C’ category. Similarly, Birupa, Kushabhadra, Bhargabi, Mangala, Gobari, Kusumee, Kansari, Sabulia, Badasankha, Luna and Ratnachira come under ‘C’ category. Water of the Brahmani at Bonai, Talcher, Dhankanal, Dharmasala and Pattamundai are very polluted. Similarly, waters of Shanka, Koel and Brahmani at Rourkela are under ‘C’ Category.
Similarly, waters of river like Nandira, Kharasrota, Gurondi Nala, Badajora Nala, KUndra, Keshu and Karo have gone below the ‘C’ category.
Baitarari river water is polluted at Jajpur and Chandbali. TC level is higher in Dhamra, Salandi and Rushikulya rivers at different places. BOD and TC content in Budhabalanga is more at Baripada and Baleswar.