The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has warned the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) to stop water pollution immediately in its project area here.
It might be mentioned here that a contractual agency of NTPC is channeling the polluted water to a nearby canal causing pollution.
Informed by the Jharsuguda district administration, OPSCB, Rourkela Deputy Environment Engineer Babita Singh visited NTPC project area here on Friday. During site inspection in the presence of NTPC project general manager (TS) KMK Prusty it was found that while three ash ponds are under construction, stone laying work was continuing and rain water is getting deposited in two ash ponds. "Due to breakage of 5 ft dike of the overflowing lagoon, the ash pond water was directly flowing into the nearby canal," Singh said. Besides, the villagers also complained about various skin and allergy ailments using the polluted water. The test report of water sample also confirmed pollution.
Reports said that while NTPC are constructing it's super mega power plant at Darlipali in Sundargarh, it's ash pond is being constructed at the border of Jharsuguda in Tileimal village.
A contractual agency RKTC was given the construction work by NTPC. The agency is channeling polluted water of ash pond to nearby canal through pipes causing pollution which may affect agriculture also, complained villagers. They also urged that the State Government to take immediate steps in the matter.