Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 17: The seasonal ravine traversing from Hatli Morh Industrial area to river Ravi is flooded with untreated, toxic effluents discharged by number of industrial units set up in Hatli Morh Industrial area, while the monitoring agency Pollution Control Board has deliberately turned a blind eye over the issue.
The industrial units set up in Hatli Morh Industrial area and the new industrial area set up in Hatli village are pumping hundreds of gallons of untreated effluents in the Magar Khad-a seasonal ravine-which ultimately submerged into River Ravi in Jagatpur village, due to absence of effective monitoring by the authorities, farmers of village Jagatpur alleged.
They further said acrid smell emanates from the water flowing in Magar Khad, because the industrial units, which earlier had been dumping the untreated water into Sawan Chak area, have changed the course of dumping drains and have now dumping untreated effluents and toxins in Magar Khad area. "With no effective monitoring in place, the polluting industrial units enjoy a free rein in the district", farmer Ganesh Sharma of Jagatpur said.
For the last few months, huge quantity of untreated water is being dumped into the Magar Khad, and the stream of black untreated water can be easily found on one bank of bridge of the Magar Khad ravine, Ram Sharma, who resides adjoining locality said.
He further said that large heaps of black ash, other industrial garbage were seen across the river. "During evening hours, tractor trolleys laden with industrial garbage are found dumping the waste and it seems that the Pollution Control Board as well as Flood Control department, both are mum over the issue, due to huge inducements given by the polluting industrial units", he alleged.
"Most of Industrial unit owners are not using the water treatment plants as it is a costly affair but greasing the palms of the concerned department officials cost a little, so the latter option is preferred", he alleged.
PCB official posted at Kathua, Angrez Singh besides Regional Director Pollution Control Board Showkat Choudhary were not available for comments as their phones were not reachable. |
