Dust clouds suffocate Steel City

Rourkela: The ongoing road expansion work in the Steel City has escalated pollution by releasing clouds of dust into air. The problem has left the denizens choked for the past few months. This has given rise to health hazards.

Contractors are carrying out road expansion work without taking up dust repressive steps like sprinkling of water. Growing number of vehicles and industrial units have added to the problem too.

Tapas Parida, a resident of Uditnagar lamented that air is heavy with floating dust particles arising out of movement of vehicles on the half-constructed road. The residents find it difficult to breath in pure and fresh air, he added.

Many people are suffering from respiratory problems and eye irritation. The problem is a common sight in most parts of the city particularly in the day time. Older people and small children are suffering from breathing problems, he added.

The problem is more acute in Basanti Colony near over-bridge ending at Uditnagar. Two of these road expansion projects are moving at a snail’s pace for nearly three years now. Public Works Department (PWD) and Rourkela Municipality have taken up several road projects. Even though almost three years have passed, construction of the road passing in front of the Panposh Sports Hostel (PSH), Koelnagar road, roads inside Basanti Colony and Panposh-Uditnagar four-laning work are yet to be completed.

Another city resident Sumit Verma said that all through the years, commuters are going through a harrowing experience while negotiating with dusty roads and bumpy rides on a daily basis.  Moreover, the main roads at Chhend Colony along with other arterial roads have been dug up.

Former municipal chairman Ramesh Bal alleged that the main problem is release of tonnes of dust into air because there has been no steps to suppress dust. He also held the PWD responsible for the inconvenience as the majority projects are executed by the PWD.

PWD Executive Engineer U C Mishra admitted that the commuters are at the receiving end of the thick dust hanging midair while the contractors do precious little to prevent dust pollution. Senior Advocate and Press Club President Muralidhar Parija also criticized the PWD and the Municipality for their callous attitude. He said despite repeated requests from the people from Uditnagar, Koelnagar and other areas, water sprinkling are not done.