The Odisha government has decided to hold departmental officers directly accountable for pollution in rivers under their jurisdiction, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed the State Assembly on Wednesday.
In a written reply, the Minister stated that river water quality is currently tested once every three months. He emphasized that strict action will be taken against officers who fail to ensure regular monitoring and compliance.
According to the new mandate, officers who do not conduct continuous water testing will face a one-month salary deduction. Khuntia admitted that river pollution remains a serious concern in several districts of the state.
“We cannot say river water is fine everywhere. Waste from processing units is entering rivers. Continuous testing has been instructed, and if departmental officers fail in their duties, one month of their salary will be withheld,” the Minister said.
He added that industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and solid waste continue to contaminate multiple river stretches across Odisha.
16 River Locations Found Polluted
A day earlier, the state government confirmed that river water at 16 locations in Odisha has been found polluted in recent assessments. Affected stretches include:
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Kathajodi in Cuttack
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Daya River and Gangua Nullah in Bhubaneswar
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Kushabhadra near Bhingarapur in Gop
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Brahmani River and Guradi Nullah in Rourkela
The Minister attributed the deterioration to excessive wastewater discharge, over-extraction of river water, and untreated sewage entering local water bodies.
Government Measures Under Review
Khuntia told the Assembly that the government has initiated multiple measures to curb pollution, improve riverbank sanitation, and enhance coordination across departments.
The Housing & Urban Development Department, Public Health Engineering, and the Water Supply & Sewerage Board have been asked to implement targeted interventions, such as:
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Strengthening sewage management
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Preventing open defecation
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Improving riverfront infrastructure
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Enhancing real-time monitoring systems
Ongoing initiatives also include river impact assessments, riverfront development, construction of toilets, and preventing external waste inflow into major river systems.
