Pollution board seeks action against MRPL phase III

Pollution board seeks action against MRPL phase III :The regional office of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has recommended action against Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) for not complying with various provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, in its phase III unit. Earlier, following several protests by local residents, the Mangaluru region office had served show-cause notices to MRPL on March 4 and March 9 (copies of the same and replies of MRPL, obtained under RTI, are in possession of TOI). The board had sought an answer from MRPL as to "why the office shall not recommend to issue an order to close pet coke silos and storage yard located adjacent to a residential area and initiate further action as per the provisions of the act." KSPCB regional environment officer Rajshekhar Puranik stated that the site selected by MRPL for operating the unit is not suitable to carry out such activities. The notice also cited negligence in commissioning the plant without implementing adequate pollution control measures to stop fugitive dust emissions to the surrounding environment. Residents of Jokatte and surrounding villages near the MRPL phase III unit had held several protests against the company under the banner of Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI). Minister for fisheries K Abhayachandra Jain had also brought the issues to CM Siddaramaiah notice. MRPL director (refinery) Vijay G Joshi, in his reply to the KSPCB show cause notices, said that the coke handling plant is not contributing to noise or dust emissions. "MRPL would like to reiterate its commitment to take all necessary measures for protecting the environment. We also seek guidance and support from the board for operating the refinery complex in an environment-friendly manner," he added. Environment officer Puranik told TOI that a report with observations like contamination of nearby open wells, health problems like asthma and skin allergy, deposition of dust on plants and vegetation, fugitive emission and spillages from the pet coke handling plant and storage area, and underground water pollution has been submitted to the board. "We had served two show- cause notices and are not satisfied with the reply given by the company. Hence, we have asked the member secretary of KSPCB to take necessary action," Puranik said. DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla said the party will hold a protest against the plant on Sunday. -TOI