Singrauli in Danger

National Green Tribunal (NGT), constituted a high profile core committee for the monitoring of pollution status of Singrauli (parts of UP and MP). Further to strengthen the exact survey and analysis, 5 subcommittees were also constituted for the assessment of industrial impacts, water quality, air quality, land resources and impact on human health.

Singrauli area has been known for their great biodiversity, green dense forests, unique forest and agriculture produce, especially known for Laakh (greatest producer in India), Chiraunji, Mahua and medicinal herbs before the vast industrial development. Natives were solely depending for their livelihood from natural resources and dwelling in forest.

This area has 10 thermal power plants having total installed capacity of 20500 MW. 6 plants installed in UP (11640 MW) and 4 plants installed in MP (9280 MW). These plants collectively generate 35 million tonnes per year fly ash and burn 2, 74,437 tonne coal every day.

With the burning of coal, 60,000 tonnes per year gaseous particulate matters, 8, 00,000 tonnes per year sulphur dioxide, 9,00,000 tonne per year nitrogen oxide is being generated to spoil Singrauli’s atmosphere. Moreover, most hazardous metal called mercury (Hg) is being also generated (14.61 tonnes per year). Japan still not forgets the horrific disaster caused by mercury, the disease so called as “Minimata.”

Will Singrauli repeat the Minimata disaster which caused several deaths in Japan?
A glance is given in the following table as NGT- subcommittee found in their report:
Different water pollutants with different locations in Singrauli -

From the above table, what we should conclude? Is this a development of our country? Singrauli supply 10-15 % of electricity to the rest of India but Singrauli people enforced to live in dark with several illness caused by pollution. Here, people united and develop an organization called Singrauli Pradushan Mukti Vahini (SPMV), Sonbhadra to regain their deteriorating Water and Air quality. They also adamant to save their Agriculture, Forests and Human Health.