Chandrapur: Continuous discharge of oil into Irai river, the lifeline of Chandrapur, has alarmed environmentalists. A large oil slick is seen in Irai river for the last many days.
Environmentalist Suresh Chopne has filed a complaint with Chandrapur regional office of Maharashtra State Pollution Control board (MPCB) and officials have started probe.
The matter came to light a few days ago when Chopne found large layer of oil floating on the Irai water at Datala Point. He clicked photos and lodged a complaint with the MPCB. The discharge of oil into the river has continued since then, claimed Chopne on Wednesday.
Chopne claimed that the oil spillage is flowing through Irai into Wardha river ahead. “It will take toll on flora and fauna in the river. Leaked oil also poses threat to residents of Chandrapur, as drinking water jack-wells are situated at Datala point,” he warned.
The oil leakage also threatens larger population as the spillage is further flowing into Wardha river which is the source of drinking water to Ballarpur and Rajura towns apart from several other villages along its course.
Greens claimed that this is not the first time when oil or toxic waste has been discharged into the river. On earlier instances, Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) was blamed for discharge of furnace oil, used to light up the overhauled or closed power generation units. However, this time, the source of oil spillage is yet to be ascertained.
While CSTPS authorities have denied discharging oil into the river, MPCB officials inspected CSTPS and nullahs connected to the river on Wednesday.