The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) to contain air and water pollution from its coke and sulphur plants, against which residents of Jokatte and surrounding areas have been holding a series of protests.
Board Chairman Vaman Acharya, who was in Mangaluru to attend an official event, told presspersons on Tuesday that the refinery has been asked to erect 20 ft tall wind breaking sheets on the periphery of the coke unit wherever there is possibility of the dust spreading to adjoining areas.
The Board has also asked the refinery not to resort to ‘open’ field production of similar products if it intends to do so in future.
Such production has to be done in closed sheds, Dr. Acharya said.
During rainy season, there are chances of the dust joining water bodies through rainwater.
The Board has, therefore, asked MRPL to construct required number of ponds to collect such water and filter it before letting out.
Having said all these, Dr. Acharya also claimed that the Board had not received any direct complaints from residents of the area, because of which the Board had not made any investigation into the actual quantum of pollution.
If the Board receives complaints, they would make suitable sample survey and take the necessary action, Dr. Acharya said.
