Fly ash leak from barge raises environmental concerns in Sunderbans
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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.
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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.
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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.
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