Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a joint inspection into allegations that chromite mining by a private ferro alloy company’s is causing contamination in Sukinda Valley, stating that the petition raises substantial environmental issues requiring detailed scrutiny.The NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Sukinda resident Kailash Chandra Nayak.Nayak’s counsel, advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy, alleged that untreated mine runoff and waste from chromite mines at Kaliapani are being discharged into Damsala Nallah, which flows into the Brahmani river, contaminating surface and groundwater with carcinogenic hexavalent chromium.Admitting the plea, the bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh on July 23 observed: “Prima facie, the allegations made in the petition raise substantial questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule-I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.” The order was uploaded on Thursday (July 30).To verify the allegations, the tribunal formed a joint committee with representatives from the integrated regional office of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and the Jajpur district magistrate.The committee has been directed to inspect the mining site, examine the grievances, interact with the petitioner and the project proponent, verify facts and recommend remedial measures. The district magistrate will act as the nodal agency, and the report is to be submitted within a month.Notices have also been issued to the Odisha chief secretary, state pollution control authorities and other agencies, directing them to file responses before the next hearing on Aug 24.The petition referred to OSPCB directions dated Dec 9, 2025, requiring the company to maintain Damsala nullah’s water quality and ensure mine drainage and surface runoff are treated in an effluent treatment plant before discharge.Citing a June 2025 ministry of jal shakti groundwater assessment, the petitioner said chromium contamination remains a serious concern. The survey collected 233 samples from hand pumps, dug wells, mine pits, effluent treatment plants, Damsala nullah and Brahmani river. It found 37 samples above permissible limits for hexavalent chromium in the pre-monsoon period and 28 samples above the limit post-monsoon.
