Other States - Others   

Most industrial units depend on groundwater

Satyasundar Barik

Acute water scarcity likely in the coming days

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Orissa Government has announced to take cautious approach on use of groundwater in its recently announced Water Policy, as high as 64 per cent of industrial units operating in the State are sourcing water through borewells.

In a written reply to a query, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed the Orissa Legislative Assembly on Monday that of the 225 industrial units, 145 were depending on groundwater, while the rest were drawing water from reservoirs, rivers and canals meant for irrigation purpose. The information sheet stated the 145 industrial units were drawing water to the volume of 10.96 million gallon per day (MGD). As many as 49 industries were relying on groundwater in Sundargarh Irrigation Division, it said. The number of industries in the division is 73.

Government-run Nilachala Ispat Nigam Ltd, which is operating a steel plant in Kalinganagar area in Jajpur district, draws maximum groundwater, which accounted 4.70 MGD. It along with three steel companies -- Visa Steel Limited, Dinbandhu Steel and Power and Maithan Ispat Limited -- also depends on ground water. Nearly a dozen steel mills are coming up in Kalinganagar area.

About 13.77 per cent of industrial units were allowed to source their water from irrigation sources such as reservoirs, barrages and canals.

As per the statistics presented by the Chief Minister, 31 industries draw about 85.43 MGD water from Hirakud and Kolab reservoirs, Taladanda canals and Samal barrage.

Altogether, industries guzzle down 226.12 MGD water from different sources. Orissa’s second largest river, Brahmani, has emerged the most used water source by industries. About 148 million gallons water per day is drawn from the river, which satisfies 65.61 per cent of water need of industries in the State.

Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), a 1.6 million tonne per annum capacity mill, consumes about 75 MGD water from Brahmani. The RSP is followed by NTPC, Kaniha and NALCO with 34.63 MGD and 16.73 MGD from the same river.

The State government has signed a memorandum of understanding with about 46 companies for steel production over 70 mtpa steel. At present, less than 20 upcoming steel industries have started their trial production.

If all the proposals get materialised, then the water scarcity is all set to worsen in coming days. The Chief Minister admitted in the written reply that about 269 small and large industrial units were yet to pay about Rs. 34.81 crores towards water cess.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Most industrial units depend on groundwater
Government put on the mat
Congress agitation peaceful
Unique wedding performed
Bandh call: tight security
High Court adjourns Budhia case to July 9
KIIT admission list announced
Man killed in accident

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu