BARIPADA: In absence of a waste management system in Baripada Municipality, the banks of two rivers passing through the town have turned easy dumping ground of garbage. Now, the municipality is staring at a looming civic and health crisis. Protesting the civic body’s apathy towards the issue, members of Madhuban Development Committee (MDC), a social organisation, on Monday submitted a memorandum to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department through Executive Officer of the Municipality in this regard. They demanded measures to check pollution in Sarali and Jarali rivers caused by garbage.
They alleged that the two perennial rivers have now been converted into sewerage channels. Even the drains of the town have been linked to the rivers while the exit lines of septic tanks are left open. Due to pollution, water of the two rivers, which meet with Budhabalanga, has become unfit for human consumption. “The town is generating over 45 tonnes of waste daily. Out of this, non-biodegradable waste like plastic, glass and thermocol plates are being dumped in these rivers. We will also sensitise the residents on garbage disposal,”said Ram Chandra Das, president of MDC.
Contacted, Municipality Executive Officer Subhashis Mangsingh said the Urban Development department has taken measures for waste management in the town. While one decentralised composting unit has been made functional at Mahila Khadan in Raghunathpur Ward, a sewerage treatment plant with an estimated cost of `2.5 crore is being constructed. The fund has been sanctioned by Odisha Sewerage Board and the civic body has allotted 1.5 acres of land for the purpose. Similarly, another decentralised composting unit will come up shortly in the town, he added.