Toxic elements found in water of villages near Zira liquor factory
Chandigarh: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has put a stamp on the fears of the residents of the area who are alleging pollution against the Malbaros liquor factory in Mansurwal Kalan village of Zira.
Evidence of cyanide has been found in the ground water of Ratol Rohi, a village about a kilometre from the factory.
In Mansurwal Kalan, the struggle of the residents of the area and the farmers’ organizations, who have been protesting for ten months, seems to be getting worse now. The report of the investigating officers has paved the way for the permanent closure of the factory. On May 17, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) wrote to the Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) seeking an action taken report within 45 days with a focus on seven points.
On the other hand, the sit-in outside the factory, led by the Sanyukt Morcha, is still going on and the protesters are demanding a written order from the Punjab government to stop it completely.
In its report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the CPCSB has indicated that none of the 29 samples of water taken from in and around the Zira ethanol plant are potable for human consumption.
During the investigation, it was confirmed that stinking water was found in a dozen of its borewells while grey coloured water was found in five. Heavy chemical elements have also been found to be present in large quantities in the water. The officials also said that ten borewells and six pizometers were installed inside the ethanol plant without the approval of the authorities concerned.
The CPCB report stated that the factory management had filled 25 deep borewells inside the factory with toxic water, due to which the water within a radius of fifteen kilometers was polluted, making it difficult for people to use water for drinking water and irrigation.
The polluted water has claimed the lives of many animals and people are falling prey to serious diseases like cancer.