Sambalpur: Days after the publication of a report on the dumping of fly ash at Nildunguri area under Jujumora tehsil of Sambalpur district allegedly by one industry, the local tehsildar asked the state pollution control board (SPCB) to cancel the ‘consent to operate’ (CTO) to the industrial firm, Monday.
The tehsildar in the letter has informed that the tehsil office was not consulted for the no-objection certificate (NoC) before granting the CTO. Sahu in his letter has further said that as the land in Khata No-3 and Plot No-44 in Nildunguri mouza has been leased out to a government-run firm, immediate steps are to be taken for cancellation of the CTO and informing the same his office. The report stirred controversy as public representatives visited the spot and stopped the dumping of ash at the site as it was being done illegally without fulfilling the necessary conditions.
A complaint was even lodged against ‘Kalyani Transport’ at the Sadar police station. The huge quantity of fly ash has created problems both for vehicles plying on National Highway-53 as well as people residing near the dumping ground. Thick layers of fly ash can be found both outside and inside the buildings. The villagers have been opposing the dumping of ash and had lodged complaints with the district collector and the SPCB. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears. The issue had gained prominence as the area is surrounded by a village, a training centre of the Agriculture Department, National Highway-53, forests, and farmlands of the residents.