Odisha Orders Closure Of 22 Factories In Rourkela To Curb Pollution During Hockey WC

Rourkela: In order to check pollution during the FIH Men’s World Cup Hockey Championship in the steel city of Rourkela, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has ordered 22 sponge iron factories in Rourkela to shut down their operations for a month.

The 22 companies were instructed to shut down their units from January 1 to 31 by the state’s nodal body for pollution control.

Even though the water bodies, plants, and homes in the steel city and surrounding areas are seriously affected, the local authority has consistently ignored repeated concerns of significant pollution in this industrialised zone.

The chief secretary was made aware of the issues during his recent visit to the steel city to inspect the preparations for the international sporting event.

The recently built Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium here will host as many as 20 games of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023.