Giridih: During this rain-soaked season, while people across Jharkhand are enjoying the monsoon, thousands of villagers living near the iron and steel industry belt of Giridih have been deprived of the chance to enjoy the rains. The lives of the people in this town, which is just 220 kilometers away from Ranchi, have not been smooth, thanks to the incessant water and air pollution caused by these steel and iron plants.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Vijaya Jadhav, who has earned the title of Lady Singham, had been regularly receiving complaints about the sudden rise in pollution levels. Complaints were raised by everyone, from the mukhiya (panchayat head) to concerned citizens.
A staff member of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in Giridih said, “People have been complaining for quite some time about contracting respiratory problems, tuberculosis, asthma, and skin-related diseases. They also maintained that the pollution was ruining not just the greenery of the area but also its water table. Many have complained of borewells drying up.”
Early on Thursday morning, the IAS officer paid a sudden visit to inspect the area. Following this, Jadhav told eNewsroom, “I reached the spot early in the morning because I knew that if it were during normal daytime hours and with media persons, the news might get leaked to the factory owners, and they might cover up most of the irregularities.”
Due to the unavailability of any camera personnel, the SDM herself took pictures of the smoke-emitting chimneys and the dust-covered expanse of land. She later shared the same with journalists.
“Pollutants like Ferro Manganese, Silica, and Coal are toxic and can choke one’s breath within a few hours. The level at which their concentration is rising is alarming in the specified area,” mentioned the IAS officer after her inspection.
There are at least 20 iron and steel factory units operating in Mohanpur, Manjhiladih, Mahtodih, Bhorandiha, Chatro, and their adjoining areas. Interestingly, there is a question mark over whether the area was an industrial belt originally. About 30,000 people inhabit the area surrounding these factories.
While the officials are yet to give an official statement on the matter, locals have claimed that it is a completely residential area, which has recently been converted into an industrial zone.
The website of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) itself mentions at least eight industries—Saluja Steel & Power Limited, Atibir Industries Co. Ltd (Unit I), Atibir Industries Co. Ltd (Unit II), Biswanath Ferro Alloys Ltd, Harshit Power & Ispat Ltd, Venkateshwara Iron & Sponge (P) Ltd, Santpuria Alloys (P) Ltd, and Balmukund Sponge & Iron Ltd—under the category of highly polluting industries. There are a total of 52 such industries across Jharkhand.
“While inspecting, it came to my notice that there were no ESPs (electrostatic precipitators) running in any of the factories. I have been told that the ESPs are undergoing maintenance. When I confronted the officials, they claimed that they operate the ESPs for 12 hours during the day and do not use them at night. However, whenever I pass through those areas, I never find them functioning,” she said.
Jadhav also questioned why the state pollution control board official, whose office is in Hazaribagh, has never taken action against such factories. She pointed out, “While one cannot determine the exact Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 levels in Giridih, it feels like they are present at an alarming percentage. If it cannot be controlled, it will put Giridih’s air quality on par with Delhi.”
She added, “I have also inquired about the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of these companies in the pollution-affected areas.”
The IAS officer further claimed that several types of violations are taking place by these companies, and that taxes and cess—ranging from carbon and coal taxes to an environment cess—should be levied on every company.
She added, “I am going to issue show-cause notices to all the industries for polluting their areas. I am not against industry because it provides employment. But earning at the cost of public health is not acceptable.”
