**Bhubaneswar:** While Odisha has achieved a quantum leap in industrialisation over the past two decades, the progress has cost the State its rivers. A conserved estimate shows that more than 100 inhabited regions which are fed by 11 major rivers, showed high water pollution levels.
In an answer to a question raised by Congress MLA Kailash Chandra Kulesika, Forest and Environment Department Minister, Bijayshree Routray informed the House on Wednesday that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OPSCB) carried out regular inspections of 11 rivers at 129 points across the State.
Out of these rivers, the lifeline of Odisha, Mahanadi delivers polluted water at eight places. River Brahmani carries polluted water through a whopping 14 places across the State.
According to the answer sheet submitted by the Minister, Daya river which flows along the State Capital has tested positive for pollutants at four points. River Kuakhai at the entrance of the Capital City has alarming pollutant levels at two places which were taken up for analysis by the OPSCB.
River Kathjodi in Cuttack is not aberration. It carries polluted water during its flow within inhabited regions at three places.
The State Government admitted in the ongoing Winter Session that water in almost all the major rivers, including Mahanadi, Brahamni and Baitarani, Luna, Kharasrota, Daya, Kuakhai and Bhargavi, was highly polluted, primarily because of human and industrial activities than natural causes.
