Pollution of the Hooghly from so-called non-point sources has been on the rise along both banks of the river, a survey carried out on Saturday revealed, despite thousands of crores of rupees having been spent under the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
The “non-point sources” include waste water pouring into the river from innumerable small drains, industrial activities happening close to the river banks, dumping of garbage and encroachments on the riverbed.
“The two-hour survey, during low tide, has exposed several scars and violations along both Kolkata and Howrah banks of the river. I will soon move court with the documented evidence,” said environment activist Subhas Datta, whose team carried out the survey. The Telegraph accompanied the team.
Polluting activities
The survey found several pollution-causing industrial activities along the western or the Howrah bank. Among the major ones are a cluster of small home-based units
near Shibpur and acid treatment of waste from jewellery units for gold extraction.
The process leads to creation of highly polluting acid fumes.
“These factories were earlier within Howrah city. They have relocated to these places near Shibpur after eviction,” said Datta.
The survey also located several dying and bleaching units close to Shalimar and Foreshore Road that are polluting the river.
Eateries along the river near Howrah station were found releasing coloured effluents into the water close to the Howrah bridge.
“It’s a fact that the stress is more on treating pollution from point sources — the major channels that carry huge volumes of wastewater into the river. Non-point sources account for 20 to 25 per cent of the overall pollution. The non-point sources need to be monitored more closely,” said Arunabha Majumdar, a water and waste management expert and advisor to the state government.
Dumped garbage
The survey spotted around 10 points along both banks where huge loads of garbage were found to be scattered adjacent to the river.
“The river is now at its lowest tide level. Surely, a large portion of this waste will be sucked into the river during high tide, severely polluting the water and impacting the ecosystem,” observed a survey team member.
Waste dumps could be seen in the Burrabazar-Posta area and close to the Mullickbazar ghat on the Kolkata side. On the other side, several garbage dumps could be seen between Shibpur and Howrah station.
Earth digging
Close to College Ghat in Howrah, a JCB excavator was found digging an area adjacent to the river, generating huge amounts of soil.
Environment activist Dutta said the soil would be used to erect earthen embankments on the riverbed, which is not allowed.
“Such activities increase the possibility of erosion,” said an expert. This newspaper saw several areas along the banks that are on the verge of collapse because of erosion.
“Illegal constructions, including highrise buildings, have come up along both banks of the river, defying rules. Kolkata Port Trust has done nothing though many complaints have been lodged with them,” said Biswajit Mukherjee, a former chief law officer of the state pollution control board.
“We inquire and take steps whenever complaints of encroachments come to us. Municipalities and state government agencies, too, should monitor,” said an official of the port trust, which looks after both banks.
