Orissa’s largest river under industrial pressure

Orissa’s largest river Mahanadi is all set to come under critical pressure as far as water needs of upcoming industries in the state are concerned. As much as 514.499 million gallon per day (MGD) water was either allocated or recommended from the Mahanadi river basin.

Similarly, some 264.66 MGD water from the Brahmani was earmarked for industries. Brahmani had been satisfying 65 per cent needs of industrial water in the state.

The upcoming industries would require water to the volume of 2,502.95 cu secs or 1,367.61 MGD water, which is six times of the present water consumption by industries, according to sources in the government. While 774.553 MGD water is already allocated or recommended, proposal for 514.499 MGD is under consideration.

It was estimated that the volume of allocated water would be more than three times the volume of water consumed by various industries, now when the proposal for water pending was more than two times the present consumption.

Some of the major industrial projects that would depend on the Mahanadi include- South Korean steel major POSCO’s proposed steel facility near Paradip, Vedanta Alumina Limited’s smelter plant at Jharsuguda, Hindalco’s smelter at Sambalpur and Indian Oil Corporation’s proposed refinery unit at Paradip.

As many as 70 industries were allocated water from the river basins such as Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Kolab and Rushikulya. About 77 industries and mining projects had forwarded their proposals to secure water supply from different rivers. The sSate had created over seven big dams, 37 medium and 2,341 small dams.  

Again 64 per cent of industrial units were relying on groundwater. Of the 225 industrial units, 145 were sourcing underground water, while the rest were drawing water from reservoirs, rivers and canals meant for irrigation purpose.