The House Committee in Paradip. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Jan. 6: A House committee has expressed concern over growing environment pollution in Paradip and called for formulation of a long-term environment management plan.

An environment management plan was conceived in 2003. But neither has it been implemented in letter and spirit, nor the plan been updated, said the House committee members.

In all the major industrial units in operation in Paradip, pollution control measures are not up to the mark. Paradip port has also failed to maintain the ambient environment standard. Unless regulatory measures are launched on a war footing, Paradip would turn into a major pollutant zone, said Amar Prasad Satapathy, head of the committee.

The transportation of ores and cargo handling within the port is adversely affecting the environment. To permanently sort out air pollution, the port trust would have to carry out its ore handling operation in a mechanised manner through conveyor belts, the Assembly panel noted.

We were shocked to find manual sweeping of dockyard areas of the port. It is adding to the air pollution within the restricted area of the port. There ought to mechanised handling of cargo, the panel suggested.

Paradip Port Trust should generate its own source of water instead of drawing water from Taladanda irrigation canal.

Industrial and commercial use of Taladanda canal water is detrimental to farming activity.

“We are shocked at the spurt in air and water pollution in and around Paradip. All industrial plant including the Paradip port trust should take the blame for the prevailing mess. Last year, the House committee on environment had made a spot visit in and around the port town. Last time, we came across visible traces of pollution. Now, things are going from bad to worse,” chairman of the Assembly committee on environment, Satpathy, said.

“Air pollution was too glaring to escape notice during our visit to core areas of the port. Dust particles coming out of raw materials enveloped the skyline. Ore transportation has become a major pollutant agent in the port township area. Smoky and dust-filled air is emerging as a major health hazard source in the port town,” Satpathy said.