Stench once again returns to haunt city

Vadodara: Strong stench has once again returned to haunt Barodians. For the second time within a month, residents of several areas of the city, especially those residing in the western parts, are experiencing strong stench wafts.
The foul smell resembling some chemical emission was so intense on Monday night that some residents started complaining of headache and uneasiness in areas like Gotri, Gorwa, Harinagar Crossroads, Akota, Sun Pharma Road and even Atladara.
A couple of officials of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), too, experienced this intense odour. The state pollution watchdog which received nearly half a dozen telephonic complaints, has started efforts to ascertain the reason behind the foul smell.
Sources in GPCB ruled out any discharge of effluents in storm water drains or leak in pipeline as reason behind it as the spread of the smell was linear and wide-spread.
“We are collecting data. Our officials were on the job even on Monday night,” said GPCB regional director R B Trivedi, adding that the gaseous emission seems to be that from industry or industrial cluster.
GPCB officials have also kept a meeting with officials of Central Pollution Control Board on Wednesday. This is, however, for the first time or the first year when these areas are reeling under such foul smell. Time and again role of chemical industries have come under scanner.
The stench has become a regular phenomenon during the months of winter or during the onset of winter when there is diurnal temperature variation.