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Alarmed PCB begins damage control
REPORTS OF nearly 500 tonnes of dangerous chromium sludge having been discharged into the Sengur river have sent the authorities in a tizzy. Member-secretary UP Pollution Control Board, CS Bhatt has asked the regional office to make proper investigations and fix responsibility. The board topgun has also sought old pictures and documents pertaining to the sludge from the regional office.
500 tonnes of effluent discharged into Sengur
REPORTS OF nearly 500 tonnes of dangerous chromium sludge having been discharged into the Sengur river have sent the authorities in a tizzy.
Member-secretary UP Pollution Control Board, CS Bhatt has asked the regional office to make proper investigations and fix responsibility. The board topgun has also sought old pictures and documents pertaining to the sludge from the regional office.
A team of four members has been formed by the regional office to search the pictures and documents.
The authorities have every reason to be alarmed because the sludge is highly contaminating and if it has gone into the river, then chromium, a highly toxic metal, can wreak havoc.
Consequently, the board has swung into action to ascertain if chromium sludge generated by the tanneries has really gone into the river and arrangements are already underway to initiate corrective measures to check contamination of river water.
The board officials say since chromium has a tendency to seep deep into the soil, it can badly affect ground water quality in a certain area. In addition, the use of contaminated water can lead to various abdominal and skin diseases.
The sludge had been lying in Kumbhi for a year and Hyderabad -based Ramkey Company had been entrusted with the task to dispose of it safely. What surprised the officials was the mysterious disappearance of the sludge.
If the locals and industrialists are to be believed, the sludge was dumped in the river that flows quite close to this site.
On the other hand, an NGO People for People (PFP) has written to the district magistrate demanding a round the clock vigil on the 22,000 metric tonnes of chromium sludge in Jajmau.
The NGO’s secretary Kedar Nath fears that the sludge may be thrown into the Ganga and pose a danger.
