Puri : The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to check environmental pollution on the beach here.
The CPCB has asked the OSPCB to take immediate steps to stop the release of sewage into Mangala river near the beach. The OSPCB has been told to direct hoteliers and owners of guesthouses and resorts to treat the sewage before releasing it into public drains.
The CPCB has also asked the OSPCB to collaborate with the local administration and police to prevent people from dumping garbage on the beach.
The central pollution watchdog has asked the OSPCB to carry out all these directions within 30 days and submit a report on the pollution issue.
The state government has set up a sewage treatment plant (STP) near Banki mouth to treat sewage released from the city households. However, untreated sewage is often released into the sea due to some technical glitches in the STP.
Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had asked the district administration and the municipal authorities of the city to treat the sewage properly before releasing it into the sea.
Similarly, the state government has laid a drainage system in the city to release the rainwater into the sea. However, owners of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants secretly release untreated sewage into the drains.
The NGT had expressed concern over the issue and asked the civic authorities to take stern action against the errant hoteliers and owners of guesthouses. The green body had also directed the civic body and state Sewerage Board to set up a treatment plant at Sipasarubali to treat drain water. However, the two agencies are yet to implement the order.
Notably, the Belabhoomi Surakhya Parishad, a voluntary organisation, had raised the beach pollution issue with the CPCB. Subsequently, a team from the CPCB regional office in Kolkata had visited the city beach and examined pollution level.