Question : Pollution in Damodar River

(a) whether the Government is aware that the Damodar River in Jharkhand and West Bengal has become highly polluted and is posing a threat to the health of the people living along its banks and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the effluents from coal mines of Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (ECL), BCCL and coal-based industries is polluting the said river;
(c) if so, whether the Government has implemented any stringent mechanism to curb pollution level in the Damodar River;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is still monitoring the pollution in the said river and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)and(b)Jharkhand and West Bengal Pollution Control Boards are monitoring the water quality of Damodar river at different locations and the data are analysed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Based on the assessment of the water quality, over the last five years, CPCB has identified two stretches as polluted stretches of the river. CPCB has not however, conducted any specific assessment with regards to the effect of effluent from coal mines on the river.


(c)to(e) The CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards are implementing the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 which inter alia include, directions to concerned local bodies to develop infrastructure for sewage treatment. CPCB issues directions from time to time to various State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees for UTs and industries concerned, as the case may be, to check the discharge of untreated effluents in to the rivers or other water bodies.

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