NHRC seeks report on alleged NALCO red mud pollution in Koraput village
By Suryanarayan Panda
Koraput, Sept. 4: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging prolonged pollution in Dengajaniguda village of Koraput district due to the discharge of toxic waste from NALCO’s red mud pond at Damanjodi.
Acting on a complaint filed by Manoj Jena, chairperson of Human Rights Front India (HRF India), the NHRC has directed the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NALCO and the District Magistrate of Koraput to inquire into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days.
The matter has been registered as Case No. 853/18/8/2026. According to a communication issued by the NHRC Law Division on September 1, the complaint, filed on August 28, was placed before the Commission on the same day.
Jena has alleged that toxic waste from NALCO’s red mud pond has been polluting Dengajaniguda since 1987. A fact-finding team led by him reportedly visited the village on August 23 to assess the situation.
The complaint alleges that leakage of toxic liquid waste from the red mud pond has contaminated sources of drinking water and damaged agricultural land. It further claims that domestic animals have died and villagers have been suffering from serious health problems.
The complainant has also highlighted the alleged impact on tribal villagers and women, who, he said, have been particularly affected by the pollution.
Another major concern raised in the complaint is the proposed construction of a second red mud pond around 200 metres from the village. Jena has apprehended that the project could increase the risk of pollution and further affect the local population.
The NHRC, in forwarding the complaint to the NALCO CMD and Koraput Collector, has treated the matter as involving allegations of a serious human rights violation and referred to concerns over the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The direction, issued through a letter signed by Sparsh Agrawal, Deputy Registrar (Law), requires the authorities to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit their report within 15 days.
The NHRC intervention is expected to bring the alleged pollution issue under formal administrative scrutiny and establish the factual position regarding its reported impact on the village and its residents.
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