Saryu Roy Demands High-Level Probe into Jamshedpur Fish Deaths

MLA Slams Pollution Board’s “Superficial” Findings

Jamshedpur: MLA of Jamshedpur West, Saryu Roy, has demanded a high-level inquiry from the Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum regarding the recent mass fish deaths in the Subarnarekha River near Babudih and Dhatkidih Pond. He stated that the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board’s (JSPCB) investigation findings are “superficial” and do not appear credible.

Key Concerns Raised:

• Atmospheric Pollution: Roy emphasized the need to identify specific contaminants entering Jamshedpur’s atmosphere that are polluting water bodies and killing aquatic life.
• Rejection of JSPCB Findings: The JSPCB attributed the deaths to low oxygen levels caused by temperature fluctuations in the pond and rain-washed city waste in the river. Roy dismissed these conclusions as shallow.
• Industrial Effluents: He questioned the JSPCB regarding the levels of pollutants in the effluents discharged from the Tata Steel factory into the river. He noted that while the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website shows BOD and COD levels exceeding permissible limits, the JSPCB website lacks this data entirely.
• Cyanide Monitoring: Roy specifically demanded clarity on the cyanide levels in industrial discharge, noting that both state and central boards have failed to provide this data online despite Supreme Court mandates requiring strict monitoring of cyanide.

Demand for Action:

Since the Deputy Commissioner chairs the District Environment Committee, Saryu Roy urged an investigation into the JSPCB’s perceived negligence. He argued that pond fish deaths cannot be blamed solely on temperature and suggested analyzing factors like silt, algae, hyacinth, and external water sources.

He concluded by calling for a third-party investigation into the rising air and water pollution in Jamshedpur to prevent such ecological incidents in the future.