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Time of India
20-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Fly ash leak from barge raises environmental concerns in Sunderbans
1 2 3 Kolkata: After widespread media reports on the midstream mishap involving a Bangladeshi fly ash barge, 'Suhan-Malati', which is now nearly 80% submerged in the Muriganga river, authorities stepped up their response. A large-scale operation was carried out on Saturday to manually transfer fly ash from the stricken vessel to boats for safer disposal on the riverbank. However, the slow manual process, further hindered by high tides, is expected to take several days. To speed up the process, an empty barge is now en route to the site. Officials said the liquefied fly ash will be pumped directly into this barge, which will then transport the cargo to Bangladesh. "This method is faster and minimises the risk of further contamination," said a representative of the handling agency. But the environmental threat may already be unfolding. "A large quantity of fly ash has already seeped into the river," said Satinath Patra, secretary of the Sunderbans Samudrik Matsyajibi Union. "The livelihoods of small-scale fishermen using two- or three-cylinder boats in this stretch will be severely affected, as fish density is bound to decline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How To Write Faster for Work (Find Out Now) Grammarly Learn More Undo Long-term ecological damage is inevitable." You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Former Jadavpur University pro vice-chancellor and chemical engineer Siddhartha Dutta warned of serious health risks. "Fly ash contains both soluble and insoluble heavy metals. If humans come into contact—while bathing or fishing—it can enter the body through skin or inhalation, potentially affecting the liver, lungs, and kidneys. Fish, too, can accumulate these toxins, especially in the liver and gills, posing risks to human consumers. " The agency spokesperson claimed, "Fly ash is not mixing with the river water. Even at the damaged point, it solidifies like cement on contact with water." He said several sacks of fly ash were sealed and relocated on Friday night, but the full clearing operation will still take three more days. "Only after that can repairs begin," he added. Kakdwip SDO Madhusudan Mandal acknowledged the incident and said, "I briefed my higher authorities in detail. I have nothing more to say to the press at this moment." Meanwhile, C Dey & Co, which manages the welfare and legal compliance for the foreign crew aboard the vessel, assured, "We don't want any contamination. We are in touch with parties that can safely repurpose the fly ash." Environmentalists are now calling for an immediate scientific assessment of the fly ash spill's impact on aquatic biodiversity in the fragile Sunderbans ecosystem.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sinking barge: High tide worry for fly ash unloading
Kolkata: The Bangladeshi barge 'Suhan-Malati', carrying fly ash, started capsizing near Kakdwip on Friday morning and is almost 80% submerged in the Muriganga river. Efforts to unload the fly ash have begun. A team of engineers inspected the ship on Saturday and stated that the internal fly ash must be removed swiftly to facilitate repairs. However, the unloading process is repeatedly hindered by high tide. The barge was carrying fly ash from Budge Budge en route to Bangladesh on Thursday evening when it developed a crack in its hull. "Although nothing is being forcibly dumped into the river, the submerged ship makes water pollution inevitable. This will pose a threat to those fishing nearby with small boats, as fish density will decrease," said Sundarban Marine Fishermen's Union Secretary, Satinath Patra. Ex-Pro-VC and head of chemical engineering at JU, Prof Siddhartha Dutta, said fly ash contains heavy metals in both soluble and insoluble forms and that contact with it can cause skin diseases in humans.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bangladeshi fly ash barge capsizes near Kakdwip
Kakdwip: The Muriganga river might experience a potential environmental disaster after a fly ash-laden barge developed a crack in its hull, causing water to gush into the vessel. The incident, which unfolded on Thursday evening, intensified overnight and raised fears of the barge capsizing by Friday morning. The barge, named 'Sohag-Malati', was carrying fly ash from Budge Budge, en route to Bangladesh, when the mishap occurred between Kakdwip and Namkhana. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata It might pose a significant ecological threat, as fly ash — a fine particulate byproduct of burning coal — contains toxic heavy metals that can severely damage the river's aquatic ecosystem if spilled. There were eight crew members on board at the time, including the master, driver, helmsman, and deckhands. They were promptly rescued and transferred to another barge from the same agency, named 'Sultan-Sanjit', averting human casualties. The barge began to list dangerously to one side by Friday morning. As a temporary measure, it was towed toward a shallow sandbar to prevent it from sinking completely. "We are keeping a close watch on the development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo We have alerted authorities against any spillage of fly ash into the water," said Satinath Patra, of the fishermen's association. A team of marine engineering experts from Kolkata rushed to the spot and assessed the situation. According to initial reports, an emergency unloading operation was planned. The experts confirmed that fly ash would not be dumped into the river but would instead be transported to an alternative dumping site to prevent contamination. Repair work on the vessel will begin once unloading is complete. The alert was first raised by the barge's driver, Mohammad Omed Ali, who noticed the crack and the influx of water. This is not the first such incident. Just five months ago, a similar mishap occurred near Ghoramara Island, when another barge started sinking after a hull breach. Environmentalists have expressed concern about the increasing frequency of such events and called for stricter regulations and emergency response preparedness.
