Sambalpur, Dec 11: The dumping of fly ash and solid waste from Sambalpur-Jharsuguda industrial corridor across various locations in the two districts has caused severe public discontent.
The fly ash, released from industries, is toxic that needs proper disposal. However, the industries are illegally dumping the toxic fly ash at different places posing danger to the people and environment.
The industries of the industrial corridor produce 40,000 tonne toxic ash daily. The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has identified two places in Sambalpur district for dumping of ash – a 10 acre land at Nildunguri in Padiabahal and a low-lying area near Sambalpur University. However, the industries are dumping ash at several places in the two districts illegally.
The lack of proper treatment and management of the toxic ash has stood as a big problem for the residents of the two districts.
According to the SPCB, the industries of the two districts release 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of ash daily. However, no industries have infrastructure for treatment of the toxic ash or ash pond. Those industries have ash ponds are very small than the produced ash.
