Thermal plant of Panipat continues to cause health hazards

The issue of spreading pollution and causing health hazards by the thermal power plants continues to surface in Haryana for a long time. In this series, it came to light that the thermal plant located in Panipat is adversely affecting the health of people residing in the villages around this which is a matter of serious concern.

The data submitted by the CMO to Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) revealed that the pollution generated by the plant is causing fatal diseases like Cancer, cardiac arrest, pulmonary disease which led to the untimely death of the people several times. Pertaining to the matter, villagers had filed a complaint to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in wake of the increasing pollution and the HSPCB was asked to submit a report over the matter. Following NGT’s instruction, HSPCB had submitted the same along with the health-related data of villagers suffering from diseases which depicted the ongoing scenario. The submitted report presently includes the health data of the last five years of 5 villages namely Khukhrana, Jatal, Sutana, Asan Kalan and Untla located around thermal plant.

Abiding by the data, as many 32 cases of deadly cancer were reported during the above-mentioned period which is an alarming situation and out of these, 7 patients lost their life. Khukhrana and Sutana villages are on the top with maximum patients, 12 each. Apart from this, the acute spike in the pollution generated by the thermal power plant also led to heart disease among the villagers as a total of 35 cases of cardiac arrest surfaced in these villages. Besides, a spurt also has been witnessed in the patient suffering from pulmonary disease.

An increase in particulate matter led to breathing problems. As many as 91 patients with pulmonary disease were reported which resulted in untimely death of several patients. In terms of the pulmonary disease, 42 and 26 patients were reported in Khukhrana and Untla villages respectively.In continuation to aforesaid, it is also pertinent to mention that villagers are suffering from hypertension and as many as 87 people were found getting affected by the disease. Khukhrana and Sutana villages are on the top with maximum 37 and 25 cases respectively.

What the report also contains is that there is an acute spike in particulate matter along with heavy metals resulting in heavy pollution in the area.

While taking the committee formed regarding the matter, the farmers said that the sky used to be covered with black clouds for most of the time due to the pollution and they continue to face breathing problems.