BAIHATA CHARIALI, April 1 - The people of Baihata and Puthimari areas are worried over rising air pollution from the paper industries. Despite repeated complaints from various quarters, authorities concerned seem to be aloof in this regard, neither they have come forward to check pollution level nor any legal move against these erring industries.
According to the people in these areas, two paper industries- including Eco-tech Paper Industry and Ashoka Craft Paper PP Ltd - are located at Dolma Gate and Baihata respectively have been polluting the ambience for a long time in the wake of discharging their harmful chemical substances.
A group of MLAs namely Satyabrat Kalita, Mrinal Saikia , Sheikh Shah Alam, Ranoj Pegu and Narayan Deka had visited the industries premises during 2017 to conduct an enquiry in the wake of complaints lodged by the people and accordingly they assured the people to take adequate steps to check pollution level.
It is learnt that they ( MLAs) had submitted a report suggesting the state government for taking urgent steps considering the gravity of the situation. But surprisingly enough, no action has been initiated so far. What is more alarming is that the people living in the areas have been suffering from various heart and lungs ailments due to toxic chemical particles emanating from the said industries.
A section of people alleged that the industries discharge their waste materials and water to the nearby agricultural lands during night and the pollutants accumulated in the agricultural lands have made the areas unfit for any agricultural activities . On the other hand local organisations have demanded the government and authorities concerned to take strict action against these polluting industries failing which they will be forced to launch a vigorous agitation.