A standing committee of the Assembly on Tuesday expressed concern at the growing pollution level in Paradip and called for a comprehensive environment management
plan in and around the town.
Led by committee chairman Prafulla Kumar Mallick, the members went around the Paradip Port and interacted with officials concerned about the impact of pollution on various projects being taken up in the Port.
They visited the water treatment, coal handling and mechanised coal handling plants at the Port. They also reviewed the anti-pollution measures and corporate social responsibility activities being taken up by the Paradip Port Trust (PPT).
After visiting these areas, the committee members held a meeting with the District Collector and PPT authorities.
PPT Chairman S Anantha Bose told the Committee that various measures were being taken to check air and water pollution.
“We have installed ultraviolet net barricades to stop emission of harmful gases from the Port’s restricted area,” Bose added.
The Committee Chairman said: “The PPT should take the lead in maintaining environmental standards. Growing industrialisation and expansion of the Port Town are bound to result in more air and water pollution. This is why, there is an immediate need of a comprehensive environment management plan in this region.”
District Collector Satya Kumar Mallick, SP Satyabrat Bhoi, ADM Surjit Das, Special Land Acquisition Officer Nrusingh Swain and officials from line departments were present.