ToI recently reported that for Beed (Sitepar) villagers it has become a nightmare to live, due to harmful emissions from the steel plant of the Sunflag iron and steel company, located barely 2.5 kilometer away.

As per report, most villagers are suffering from respiratory problems, skin diseases and allergy. There have been reports of cattle dying and water tanks and wells getting polluted due to the black dust emanating from the chimneys of the steel plant.

The village has 280 families, and agriculture is the main source of income here.

Farmers Sudhakar Bante and Pravin Bawankule said that due to the black dust, their paddy crop have become black and the crop and vegetables produced in the field are fetching lower rates. Villagers have also said that at least 11 cows and buffalos died after eating dust-smeared fodder. Tree leaves are blackened with thick layers of industrial dust.

Sarpanch of the village Devidas Bante said that due to the black dust, additional burden of medical expenses has increased the cost of living of the villagers. He added that "Many villagers have reported bronchitis, skin diseases, respiratory problems, loss of appetite and loss of efficiency. Several complaints made to the Sunflag establishment have fell on deaf ears.”

Mr VK Sharma senior vice president of Sunflag company said that he was unaware of the spread of black dust in Beed. However, he maintained that he would send an officer to the village to study the situation.

(Sourced from Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)