Bhubaneswar,Jan 15: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed its concern over the pollution situation in as many as 106 cities across the country including those of Odisha.

NGT has recently drawn up a list of 106 polluted cities in the country and directed the state governments to initiate steps to improve the environmental quality of these hot spots.

The red list contains the names of twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, industrial cities of Rourkela, Angul,Kalinga Nagar,Talcher and Angul Besides, Balasore district headquarter town has also been included in the red list. Earlier, Balasore was designated as a ” zero industry”district.

Over industrialization in these places  has made them acutely polluted. As a result people living in these localities are living a miserable life. Dust and smoke emitted from the plants have badly affected the total habitat polluting air,water and soil.

Industrially developed Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts are also going to be added into the red list of NBT. Over flowing ash pond of industries are causing crop loss in the nearby clusters.

Analyzing the pollution index, the NGT has advised to take preventive measures to reduce pollution. NBT has recommended all the industries in and around Odisha to see that environmental pollution does not put the life of people at stake.

The Tribunal has asked to set up smart electrostatic precipitators and modified sewage treatment plants as soon as possible.

If corrective measures are not taken immediately, the pollution load of Odisha will be alarming, warn the green activists.