The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) on Tuesday presented the 'Environment Action Plan' for the critically polluted Jharsuguda-Ib valley cluster to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
A committee has been constituted under N R Mahapatra, former chairman of the pollution board, to oversee the implementation of the plan.
"The SPCB has prepared an 'Environment Action Plan' for the critically polluted Jharsuguda-Ib valley cluster. The action plan has been prepared keeping in view the impact of the industrialization on ambient air quality as well as quality of water. A committee has been formed to ensure that the action plan is implemented effectively”, said Chief Secretary B K Patnaik.
While the Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has lifted the embargo on setting up of new projects at the Angul-Talcher belt, the moratorium still applies to the Jharsuguda-Ib valley cluster, he added.
According to Siddhant Das, member secretary of SPCB, directions have been issued to industries and coal mines of the Jharsuguda-Ib valley cluster as well as municipality to observe mitigation measures.
While industries have been asked to abide stringently by pollution control norms including improving efficiency of ESPs (Electro Static Precipitators) and cut down on fluoride emissions, the Jharsuguda municipality has been instructed to put up sewage treatment plants.
The Action Plan also envisages a dedicated coal transport corridor in the Jharsuguda-Ib valley belt by 2015.
The pollution watchdog has prepared another 'Action Plan' for the Talcher-Angul belt.
The MoEF had identified 43 critically polluted clusters across the country of which the ministry had lifted the moratorium in 20 clusters. In the remaining 23 clusters, it has been decided to extend the moratorium further up to September 30 this year.
