Cuttack: Flagging continuing concerns over groundwater contamination in Odisha’s chromite mining belt, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the state govt and pollution control authorities to step up surveillance of water quality in Sukinda Valley of Jajpur district and ensure uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water to residents.Disposing of a petition filed by Mantu Das, a Jajpur-based social activist, the east zone bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh observed that while significant measures were taken to provide potable water, possibility of groundwater contamination could not be ruled out.Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy made submissions on the petitioner’s behalf.In the July 10 order, web copy of which was released on Wednesday, the tribunal took note of an affidavit filed by the Jajpur collector stating that the mega piped water supply project in Sukinda block is fully operational, with households receiving drinking water through functional household tap connections (FHTCs) conforming to BIS IS 10500:2012 standards. It also recorded that 22 contaminated hand pumps were permanently sealed on Dec 11, 2025, to prevent public exposure.However, the bench pointed out that a study by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) found alarming levels of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in groundwater. “Of 233 samples, 37 samples showed higher concentration of chromium (VI) above 0.05 mg/l during pre-monsoon and 28 locations showed chromium (VI) above 0.05 mg/l during post-monsoon season,” the order said.Expressing concern, the tribunal observed, *”CGWB has not identified the causes and collector and district magistrate, Jajpur has not mentioned the remedial measures taken pursuant thereto.”*The NGT directed the forest, environment and climate change department, Jajpur district administration and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) division to expand and strengthen safe drinking water schemes and conduct periodic testing to ensure the supplied water remains free from contamination, including Cr(VI). It also ordered the CGWB and RWSS to regularly identify contaminated wells, hand pumps and other water sources for treatment or permanent closure. The tribunal further asked authorities to install arsenic removal plants in affected villages, wherever required, using govt funds or CSR support.Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) was directed to periodically inspect effluent treatment systems of chromite mining industries, ensure compliance with discharge norms, promote reuse of treated water, and initiate action against violators. The OSPCB and CGWB were also asked to form joint inspection teams and upload periodic inspection and action-taken reports on their websites. The tribunal said the petitioner would be at liberty to seek further intervention if its directions are not implemented. While advocate Padmesh Mishra represented the state govt, counsel for OSPCB advocate Dipanjan Ghosh appeared for OSPCB, advocate Ashok Prasad for CGWB and Rajib Ray for CPCB.
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