TNCSC initiates pollution control measures at rice mill in Tiruchi

Effluent treatment plant and scrubber to be installed at a cost of Rs. 72 lakh

A view of the modern rice mill at Adavathur where the pollution control measures are to be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation has taken measures to check water pollution and air pollution caused by the modern rice mill at Advathur near Tiruchi.

An effluent treatment plant for treating waste water and a scrubber for checking air pollution would be provided at the mill at a total estimate of Rs. 72 lakh, said G.Chitrarasu, Senior Regional Manager, TNCSC, Tiruchi.

Explaining the advantages of the treatment process, he said the Corporation has devised the strategy in consultation with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board authorities.

The effluent water would be treated in four phases before being recycled for irrigation. A collecting tank, an aeration tank, sledge removal tank and settling tank were being constructed for the purpose. “Luckily, the availability of about one acre of forest land in the vicinity had come as a boon to us and we are confident of re-cycling the treated water to the forest area,” said S.B.R.Kannan, Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.

For checking air-pollution, a scrubber would be set up at the mill.

“A huge volume of ash is discharged during the course of grinding. A filter would be attached to the tower through which the ash would be collected and deposited and dissolved in a massive water tank. The water would then be discharged into the effluent treatment plant, he said. Work on the scrubber would commence, once the ETP is completed, he added.