Bhubaneswar, 2 December (H.S.): Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed the Assembly on Tuesday that 16 spots across various rivers in the state have been identified as polluted.
Responding to a question in the House, the minister said polluted stretches have been reported in several key urban locations, including the Kathajodi river in Cuttack, the Daya river and Gangua nullah in Bhubaneswar, the Kushabhadra river near Bhingarpur in Gop, and parts of the Brahmani river along with the Guradi nullah in Rourkela.
Khuntia stated that most of these rivers are being contaminated due to untreated urban wastewater and excessive extraction of river water, leading to deteriorating water quality and ecological stress.
To address the issue, the state government has launched multiple initiatives aimed at curbing river pollution. Urban local bodies have been directed to ensure that waste is not discharged into rivers, while district administrations, the Urban Development Department, the Public Health Engineering Organisation, and Water Supply and Sanitation authorities have been instructed to undertake coordinated action.
The minister further added that steps are being taken to augment river flow, develop riverfronts, and construct toilets along riverbanks to eliminate open defecation, thereby improving sanitation and environmental health in the affected regions.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
