Sets ambitious one-year target
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, June 5: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy orchestrated a gathering of people and supporters from various political parties and social organizations at Gandhi Ghat in Mango. The purpose of the meeting was to address the issue of industrial and urban pollution plaguing the Kharkai and Swarnarekha rivers, which are considered the lifelines of Jamshedpur city. As a symbolic gesture, MLA Saryu Roy staged a strike during the event.
Under the banner of Kharkai and Swarnrekha Bachao Samiti, MLA Saryu Roy discussed the factors contributing to the current state of the rivers during a sit-in demonstration. He highlighted that the establishment of the Tata Steel factory in Jamshedpur was made possible due to the presence of the Kharkai and Swarnarekha rivers. Over time, Tata Steel’s factory has grown more than 50-fold. However, there has been a lack of concrete policies for the development of the rivers. Although claims were made by municipalities in 2008-2009 to restore and clean the rivers by preparing detailed project reports (DPRs), no progress has been made.
Reflecting on his early efforts, MLA Saryu Roy recalled that when he was first elected as the MLA of Jamshedpur in 2005, he collected samples from the Swarnarekha river for investigation. At that time, some political parties ridiculed his work. Today, after 18 years, the condition of the river has worsened significantly. The city’s untreated sewage flows directly into the river, exacerbating the pollution problem.
MLA Saryu Roy emphasized the need for collective action to address the issue. He urged settlements around Jamshedpur to collaborate and establish a framework for development, aiming to realize the concept of Greater Jamshedpur. He also announced plans to demand a government policy for river development by convening a meeting with officials from both districts. Additionally, a Kharkai Yatra will be initiated to raise awareness.
During the program, Saryu Roy appealed to the residents and environmental enthusiasts of Jamshedpur to start a tagging campaign in their personal lives and on social media, adopting the role of environmental watchdogs. He resolved to work tirelessly to clean the rivers within a one-year timeframe.
MLA Saryu Roy clarified that his protest was not aimed at the government and industries but served as a warning for them to fulfill their responsibility in keeping the rivers clean.
The event was presided over by convenor Mukul Mishra, and Ajay Sinha delivered the vote of thanks. Prominent social workers AK Srivastava, Suresh Sonthalia, Bharat Vasani, Harvinder Singh Mantu, Manoj Singh, Om Prakash Singh, Kavita Parmar, Manoj Singh Ujjain, Akash Shah, Praveen Singh, Sunita Singh, Kakoli Mukherjee, and others were present at the program
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Both the rivers are very badly damaged due to lapses of State/Central government and Pollution Body. No efforts are made to keep alive of these two rivers. I personally referred the issue in June 2015 to protect rivers which are life line of Jamshedpur public. Need to establish STP units. Rivers encroachment is terrible. Garbages dumping in the river beds. Embankment of rivers eaten by commercial activities without any improvement of river flow, periodical dredging of rivers. Over all damage to rivers badly affected over environment, health of population. Industries pollution promoting chronic diseases like TB, Cancer etc.