Barbil: River Karo that flows on the outskirts of Barbil town in Keonjhar district has been at the receiving end of pollution, a report said.
Environmentalists voiced concern over the pollution and said the river will face existential threat if corrective measures are not taken in time to stop further pollution.
Karo is the lifeline of Barbil town. Industrial effluents and toxic chemical and oil are released into its water, but the administration has allegedly failed to stop it.
Days before the Biswakarma puja, thousands of heavy vehicles and trucks, four-wheelers, bikes were washed with its water.
The washing of vehicles resulted in release of grease, lubricants, diesel and other toxic elements into the river.
Vehicles are washed out in its water on other days too. Locals alleged that the administration saw it happening regularly, but remained a mute spectator.
Inaction has rather encouraged such activities, they lamented.
The PHEO has been supplying drinking water from the river to residents after treatment. Another new project is under construction so as to meet the rising demand for drinking water in the industrial town.
In different times, various organisations have been holding meetings with administrative officials to save the river, but their efforts have failed to make any impact.
Locals demanded that the administration take immediate and effective steps to prevent pollution.
Asked about it, executive officer of the Barbil civic body, Abhisekh Panda, said necessary steps will be taken to prevent entry of vehicles for washing purpose in river and other water bodies. Help of the tehsildar and police will be taken, he added.