ECPL allays fears, says a few groups indulging in causing panic

Epsilon Carbon Private Limited (ECPL), which is building a coal tar processing unit at Musinayakanahalli in Sandur taluk of Ballari district, has said that a few select groups were indulging in causing undue panic among the public by spreading misinformation against the plant.

Manoj Ganorkar, advocate for ECPL, has, in a press release, tried to allay fears/misconception among the people over the plant causing damage to environment and ecology and also public health.

According to him, the coal tar plant was an integral part of all steel plants. Coal tar is a by-product of coke ovens and is the base material for manufacturing various useful products such as naphthalene. The products are extracted from coal tar mainly through distillation and there are no hazardous or dangerous chemicals used in the process. Most of the steel industries have a coal tar processing unit within their premises similar to the by-product processing as in cement or power plants and are operating since decades without jeopardising the health and wellbeing of the community.

Industry standards

ECPL benchmarks the highest industry standards of safety, pollution control and preservation of the environment by incorporating world class technology and equipment.

The plant is being set up with the concurrence of the government and after obtaining the mandatory and necessary approvals of all agencies and departments, including the pollution control board. Any concerns of health, safety of the population and environment in the vicinity of the plant are unfounded.

The plant is being set up to match the best in class industry standards, thereby creating multitude of job and investment opportunities in the region.

ECPL is firmly committed to playing an inclusive role in contributing to society by improving infrastructure, community development and ushering in radical changes to the region.

It is also steadfast in developing and preserving the surrounding environment through the creation of a green belt and is undertaking projects for the conservation of environment, the press release said.