Post News Network
Jajpur/Duburi, June 13: Industrial and coal pollution has claimed lives of 54 tribal men in villages under Dhuligada panchayat of Danagadi block in Jajpur district. Pollution from Sukinda railway plot, Manpur coal plot and adjoining industries is the major cause, it is alleged.
As per reports, 54 persons died of pollution related diseases during last two years with eight deaths reported this year. The problem is acute in men as they step out of their houses for work and get exposed to pollution. A villager Duryodhana Patra in Suanl village said that if immediate steps are not taken no men will be left in the village.
However, the pollution control board has not taken any steps in this regard as yet. Rapid industrialisation in Jajpur district has proved to be a death trap for residents of Suanl, Patra Sahi, Dehuri Sahi, Majhi Sahi, Brahman Sahi, Mangobindpur Jakhpur, Kudumisahi, Barapala, Dasamania and Tangarsahi villages.
Coal dust emerging from Sukinda railway plot, Manpur coal plot and smokes from industries on outskirts of village has contributed heavily in polluting the atmosphere and contaminating water bodies.
Huge stock of coal is imported from Australia and later transported to various industries in adjoining Kalinganagar Industrial Complex. Per day 200 trucks carry coals to Kalinganagar but the authorities have failed to sprinkle water on the roads leading to the plots, said the villagers.
They alleged the company authorities; mine owners, transporters, loading agencies and railway officials are in hand in glove in a bid to earn profit and are therefore, flouting pollution control rules. The rising pollution is causing diseases like tuberculosis and jaundice as well as other unknown diseases affecting people’s lives adversely forcing them to an early death.
In a latest incident, a woman Rajani Nayak (23) wife of Nakula Nayak in Suanl village and a youth Chota Munda(22) son of Rupia Munda of Mangobindpur village died of tuberculosis. Villagers claimed that more than 100 of them are suffering from various diseases and are battling for lives.
According to reports there are more than 6000 widows in Danagadi block, of which Dhuligada panchayat alone has 500 widows. Most of them are yet to receive widow pension while their families have not been included in National Family Welfare Scheme.
All their attempts get their grievances redressed have fallen on deaf ears of the administration. No medical team has even reached the villages to take stock of the situation.
When contacted, ADMO (public health) Kanhu Charan Nayak admitted to the fact of pollution causing deaths and said an enquiry is being carried out in the villages.