CHHATTISGARH Environment Conservation Board, Bhilai served a notice to NSPCL Power Plant in Bhilai-3 in view of persisting issue of wide spread of fly ash laden wind and complaints regarding the same. With serving notice, the authorities from the Environment Conservation Board are seeking complete report regarding the issue and also directed the power plant management for sorting out the issue by Saturday evening.

 

Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Anita Sawant, the Regional Officer, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Bhilai informed that after complaints, she along with the board officials inspected the areas and personally recorded status of the problem and measures initiated by NSPCL Power Plant in the same context. The power plant management has been directed to sort out the issue by Saturday evening. She also added that the issue is learnt to be the outcome of malfunctioning of sprinkler.

 

The sudden change in weather has caused increased air velocity and excessive east ward blowing of wind further aggravated the issue. However with measures initiated by Power Plant management spreading of ash has been brought to control some extent but the board officials directed the plant management for completely checking the issue. As per recorded status of the problem, it hardly involves health hazard for people. It may be recalled that with change in weather conditions and blowing of winds the issue of wide spread of fly ash in air has been persisting since last Tuesday. It has affected over half a dozen villages, including Ganiyari, Somni, Basin, Pahdor etc in Bhilai-3. With blowing of ash laden winds people were seen driving vehicles with switching on lights during noon hours to avoid possibility of mishaps as visibility is considerably low. Besides the villagers are also complaining about burning sensation in eyes and problems in performing any outdoor activities. There is accumulated fly ash at LC Gate, the area used for ash dumping by the power plant the issue has been prevailing since weather change and strong winds.