Hundreds of DMK partymen led by Dindigul east district secretary I.P. Senthil Kumar on Monday staged demonstration, demanding the removal of mercury waste allegedly dumped at the Hindutan Unilever thermometer factory in Kodaikanal.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kumar said that large quantum of mercury waste left by the now-closed factory had contaminated the soil and polluted the water in the lake.
All efforts should be taken to clear the entire waste from the hill and dispose it off safely. Proper monitoring was essential to ensure the proper removal of waste, he said.
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The government should extend healthcare support to thermometer workers, who had been struggling with health problems.
Concern over fish farm
Expressing concern over the proposed fish farm on the marshland near the Gymkhana Club, Mr. Kumar said that marshlands were vital to maintaining groundwater sources and the inflow into the Kodaikanal farm.
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The construction of a fish farm would destroy the marshland in the town. The government should therefore abandon the proposal to protect the lake and ecology of the Kodaikanal hill, he said.
Gundar project
The protestors also appealed to the authorities to execute the lower Gundar project to augment drinking water supply to Kodaikanal town. The government should expedite the project keeping in mind the growing demand for drinking water and the ever-increasing tourist flow.
Removal of unauthorised structures in Kodaikanal, strict implementation of the master plan and implementation of total prohibition were among their demands.
The DMK cadre also raised slogans against the State government and its “anti-people policies.”
MDMK leader Vaiko would stage demonstration in Kodaikanal on September 4.