Not satisfied with response of State Pollution Control Board Dissatisfied with the State government’s approach to handle pollution challenges in chromite mining belt of Sukinda and River Brahmani, the Orissa High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct an independent study to ascertain the level of pollution in the area. The court also ordered the CPCB to look into pollution of the Brahmani. A division bench comprising Justice Indrajit Mohanty and Justice S. C. Parija expressed its dissatisfaction over the response of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to the Brahmani pollution and pollution caused by waste water generated from beneficiation plant in chromite mining area of Sukinda. “The HC ordered the CPCB to constitute a team of scientific experts and examine capability of industries to deal with pollution. The CPCB has been asked to submit a report before the HC,” said Bibhu Prasad Tripathy, senior counsel appearing on behalf of CPCB. “The study is to be independent of the SPCB report on environmental implications of chromite mining and pollution in Brahmani River,” Mr. Tripathy said. He said the State government would bear the financial expenditure on the study. According to the SPCB report submitted in the High Court, from the analysis report it was revealed that the pH and hexavalent chromium (Cr{++}{+6}) concentration after treatment remained within the prescribed standard of 5.5. – 9.0 and 0.1 mg/1 respectively prescribed under Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. A study submitted by IIT, Kharagpur, suggested that the most feasible option was upgradation of the existing effluent treatment plant, instead of going in for a common Effluent Treatment Plant (CEPT). “Accordingly, the SPCB directed all operating open cast chromite mines in this area to take action for upgradation of ETPs as per the conceptual plan of IIT, Khargpur. It has been observed during inspection that 6 operating open cast Chromite Mines in this area have started establishment of upgraded ETPs. The remaining four, required to upgrade ETPs, will start the civil work shortly as reported,” the report stated. State to bear expenditure on study Court takes suo motu cognisance of paper report