Rourkela Steel Township struggles with garbage, stagnant water, and foul smell

Rourkela Steel Township in Sundargarh district is facing growing sanitation concerns, with heaps of garbage and waste allegedly lying unattended across several areas. Stagnant water and rotting waste have added to the problem, creating a foul smell and raising questions over the cleanliness system in the steel city, according to sources on Sunday.

Residents across Sectors 1 to 22 have expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged lack of regular garbage clearance. According to locals, waste remains piled up for weeks in several places, while irregular cleaning has contributed to unhygienic conditions and environmental pollution. Residents claim that garbage is collected only once every two to three days in some areas, allowing waste to accumulate and deteriorate.

As the Steel Township falls under the jurisdiction of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), sanitation and waste management responsibilities are handled by a dedicated department of the plant. The issue has also drawn the attention of Raghunathpali MLA, who discussed the matter with RSP officials and sought action to address the sanitation problems.

The RSP authorities have assured that cleaning work will be undertaken soon. However, no official response was provided on camera regarding the ongoing complaints.

With garbage continuing to pile up in several parts of the township, residents have urged the authorities to ensure regular waste collection and cleaning to restore hygiene and prevent further deterioration of the local environment.

A resident of the township, Subhashree Mohanty, told OTV: "Earlier, they (the RSP personnel) used to come every day to collect the garbage, daily collection was happening. Now, they are collecting it once in two or three days. Even people (the residents) are not that aware, they are throwing garbage outside their gates. They clean inside their own gates but throw it on the road. If people themselves find a solution to this and become aware, then the streets will remain clean."

Another resident, Harekrushna Nayak, highlighted infrastructure gaps and health risks: "Even today, in our area, in our city, there is not even a single dustbin in the RSP sector. Due to this, waste and garbage are being thrown everywhere, and cows are eating it, which is leading to their deaths. Another issue is dengue; as it is raining continuously now, dengue is likely to spread even more."

When contacted, the local MLA expressed: "The municipality is taking necessary steps on their end, but on our side, there is still some shortcoming. I have spoken with the RSP authorities, and I will also write to them to ensure this problem is resolved properly so that people do not face any inconvenience." The MLA added: "Additionally, I request the general public of Rourkela Steel Township to also keep their respective areas and surroundings as clean as possible."

Residents have urged the authorities to ensure regular waste collection and cleaning to restore hygiene and prevent further deterioration of the local environment.

Related Coverage

• Sundargarh's Evolution Under British Rule: A Historical Overview