Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh): Serpents of smoke, which the chimneys of industrial units belch out round the clock, have severe impact on the villages adjacent to the Waraseoni sub-division. This is causing problems, especially to those who live in the villages where the industrial units have been set up. The situation has come to such a pass that it has become difficult for them to breathe in fresh air.
Many villagers are down with asthma and other diseases. Ethanol and manganese plants and rice mills have been set up in Sarandi, Mehdiwada, Sikandra, Khapa and Newargaon villages near Waraseoni. The smoke has also blackened the sky. Besides smoke, the dust, coming out of the mills, has an adverse impact on villagers’ health. Morning walkers, too, cannot breathe in fresh air.
The dust coming out of rice mills enter into their lungs through nostrils. Yet, the district administration does not pay any attention to the issues related to health hazard. When the issue was put up before sub-divisional officer of Waraseoni Rajeev Ranjan Pandey, he said he had received complaints.
The Pollution Control Board will be asked to probe the case, Pandey said, adding that air quality of the city and its surrounding areas will also be examined. Child specialist of government hospital in Waraseoni Dr Vijendra Choudhary said the number of patients of cough, asthma, and other lungs-related diseases were on the rise. Many people are also suffering from eye diseases and allergy, he said.
