Cuttack, Nov 10 (UDN): Concerns over river pollution are mounting in Odisha’s Cuttack as sewage from city drains is allegedly flowing directly into the Kathajodi River, raising serious questions about the enforcement of Orissa High Court directives prohibiting the discharge of untreated wastewater into the river.
Once an important lifeline for the city, the Kathajodi is increasingly facing pollution threats, with residents and environmentalists expressing concern over the continuous flow of contaminated water through multiple discharge points.
The situation has drawn attention to the effectiveness of sewage treatment infrastructure and the monitoring mechanisms in place to protect the river from urban pollution.
Sluice Gate at Khannagar Under Scanner
One of the major concerns has emerged from the Khannagar area, where drain water can reportedly be seen entering the Kathajodi through a sluice gate.
The gate was originally designed to release rainwater accumulated in low-lying parts of the city during heavy rainfall. However, it allegedly remains open throughout the year, allowing wastewater from a major city drain to flow into the river.
Another suspected discharge point has been reported near the CDA area, where water from a sewage treatment plant reportedly enters the river.
The foul smell emanating from the discharge point and the condition of the released water have triggered questions over whether the wastewater is being adequately treated before entering the river.
Sewage Treatment Capacity Raises Concerns
The alleged discharge has also brought the city’s sewage treatment infrastructure under scrutiny.
A sewage treatment plant at Matagajpur was established to process wastewater coming through the city’s main drain. However, its existing treatment capacity is reportedly inadequate to handle the entire volume of sewage generated.
Although the Cuttack Municipal Corporation has initiated steps to enhance the plant’s capacity, the expansion work is yet to be completed.
A separate treatment facility is also operating at Khannagar. However, the foul smell reported near its discharge point has raised concerns over the quality of water being released into the river.
The developments have renewed questions about the implementation of the Orissa High Court’s directions against the release of untreated sewage into the Kathajodi.
Environmentalists Warn of Public Health Risks
Environmentalists have warned that continued discharge of inadequately treated wastewater could adversely affect the river’s water quality, aquatic ecosystem and public health.
They have expressed concern that declining dissolved oxygen levels and increasing contamination could make the water unsafe for communities that depend on the river.
“If the water is not properly treated, its water quality index will deteriorate and the oxygen level will decrease. People who depend on river water will be affected. Around 70 types of water-borne diseases can occur due to contaminated water,” said environmentalist Dr Ashutosh Debata.
Greater Cuttack convenor Manoj Pati also questioned the continued discharge of wastewater despite the installation of treatment facilities.
“If sewage continues to be discharged into the river, the water will become polluted. Even though a treatment plant has been set up, such discharge is still taking place. What will happen in the future if this continues?” he said.
Cuttack Mayor Denies Sewage Discharge
Amid growing concerns, Cuttack Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh has rejected allegations that sewage is being released into the Kathajodi River.
“There is a strict prohibition on releasing drain water into the river. Only rainwater is allowed to be discharged,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor’s statement, however, comes against the backdrop of concerns raised over the discharge points at Khannagar and CDA, where residents and environmental observers have questioned the nature and quality of the water entering the river.
Questions Over Enforcement of High Court Directions
The alleged discharge has brought renewed focus on compliance with judicial directions aimed at preventing river pollution.
While sewage treatment facilities have been established and capacity expansion measures are reportedly underway, concerns over discharge points suggest that effective monitoring and enforcement remain crucial.
The key questions now concern whether all wastewater entering the river is being adequately treated, whether existing treatment plants can handle the city’s sewage load and whether discharge points are being regularly monitored.
For Cuttack, protecting the Kathajodi is not merely an environmental responsibility but also a public health priority. Unless sewage treatment capacity, drainage management and monitoring are strengthened, the river could face further deterioration.
The need of the hour is effective enforcement, transparent water-quality monitoring and a time-bound solution to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Kathajodi.