Paradip, Oct. 26: In a bid to reduce pollution, the port here has constituted a monitoring cell for regular scrutiny of the environment.

"It was found in the recent past that the air quality both in and outside the Paradip port had deteriorated considerably. Port authorities had been directed to formulate a comprehensive plan and implement it expeditiously to curb pollution. The port had also initiated pollution control measures, due to which the degree of air and water pollution in the core operational area of the port and its civil township had been brought down", said Prasant Kumar Kar, a regional officer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).

"The port was earlier asked to comply with proper air quality standards. It had also been warned that legal action under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, would be initiated if it failed to maintain the standard of air quality," said Kar.

A sub-committee of the Assembly had earlier expressed great concern over the growing environmental pollution in Paradip and had called for the formulation of a long-term environment management plan.

"We are intent on turning the port into a zero-pollution area. An environment-monitoring cell had been constituted with personnel having expertise on pollution control. Environment scientists are also being recruited to strengthen the cell. Ambient air and water standards are being monitored by the cell on a daily basis," said N. Vaiyapuri, the deputy chairman of Paradip Port Trust.

"We had initiated a series of pollution control measures. Installation of automatic fogging system is on in areas where mineral ores are being stockpiled. Both manual and mechanical sweeping and cleaning of the dockyard within the port area had led to the reduction in air pollution. Mechanical sweeping is also being undertaken and a water sprinkling system had been installed at the manual stockyard. Tanks had also been built at strategic places in the port to scientifically store polluted water," said Vaiyapuri.

Mobile mist canons for dust suppression are also being procured by the port trust and around 21,900 of saplings had already been planted in the port area. Truck tyres washing system is also being installed inside the port as the trucks carrying ores often leave dust on the road.

"To stop dust particles from spreading, the port authorities had drawn up a project to expand ultra-violet net-barricade cover within the restricted port area. The 2-km stretch of the port boundary had already been brought under the net cover to stop air pollution caused by the handling of ores," said Vaiyapuri.

Air pollution from the core areas of the port emerged as a major health hazard leading to an increase in respiratory diseases in the port township.

"Ore transportation has become a major polluting factor," said Biraja Pati, an environment activist.