Report by Badal Tah; Rayagada: “As one of the old and mega industries of Odisha established in a tribal hinterland like erstwhile Koraput district during year 1961, Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys(IMFA) has maintained optimum quality standards in pollution measures in a sustained basis since its inception”, said Sri Debabrata Sethi, Regional Officer-in-Charge of State Pollution Control Board(SPCB) stationed at Rayagada while attending as Chief Guest in the valedictory function of a weeklong Environment Sensitisation Drive in and around IMFA company.
The awareness drive included an awareness programme on water & energy conservation for employees, a ‘sit & draw’ competition for primary and high school students in the periphery of IMFA, a sensitization elocution on ‘we are dependant on environment and a part of it’ among the employees, a prabhat pheri spreading the message of ill effect of polythene use, benefit of plantation and water conservation & finally actual plantation at railway siding. Apart from this an awareness programme on “Water Conservation and Management of Organic Waste(Food & Vegetables) & polythene & plastic wastes” for ladies in IMFA Colony was guided by Smt.A.K.Minz, Assistant Environment Scientist, SPCB, Rayagada.
Sri Dinesh Kumar Mohanty, Deputy General Manager(Quality Management) vividly described the measures taken up by IMFA to combat pollution. He explained about the sophisticated gas cleaning plants checking air pollution, Dust Extraction System to contain pollution in briquette plants, huge storage of 2160 sqm to prevent water pollution, 25000 sqm concrete yard for raw material storage & 5000 sqm concrete yard for storing finished goods again to prevent possible water pollution, 86 numbers of road sprinklers & 8 numbers of rain guns at strategic points to contain fugitive dust, concretization of road towards railway siding, construction of two big ponds for water recharge and conservation, a roof-top water harvesting structure inside the colony, one huge impervious pond to conserve surface run-off for rain water collection, putting up a solar plant of 3 MW capacity and roof top solar panels of 50 KW capacity.
According to Mr Mohanty, IMFA uses a pyro-metallurgical process where least water is needed and the waste water is again reused leading to zero water discharge. They have also done massive plantation, a hallmark of IMFA, inside the company campus and its periphery along with several schools and villages including avenue plantation.34.14% of the industrial area has been covered under plantation though the statutory requirement is 33%. IMFA also has a sophisticated laboratory with professional staff to monitor environment performance. Because of the stringent management system and its sincere implementation, the ambient air quality in and around the plant is within the limit.
While Sri Ramanath Praharaj, Vice President presided over the function, Sri Rana Ranjan Mohanty, General Manager(HR & Admn) gave the welcome address. Sri Praharaj administered oath for conserving & nurturing the nature. Sri Debabrata Sethi distributed prizes to the winners of several competitions held earlier for this purpose. IMFA employees enacted a drama on the theme “Our aspiration-healthy environment”, which was witnessed by students, parents, local community members and employees alongwith their family members. Sri Rana Ranjan Mohanty extended vote of thanks.
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