Mangaluru: MRPL pollution - Committee to study

Mangaluru: MRPL pollution - Committee to study

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 09 2015 :  DK DC Adoor B Ibrahim will lead a five-member committee set up to find solutions to issues related to allegations of pollution from the Phase III unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL).

Government order on August 3, Dakshina Kannada MP, two MLAs relating to affected area, city police commissioner, zilla panchayat CEO, Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner, regional officer of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited managing director, MRPL managing director, local gram panchayat president, three nominees among the affected persons or their representatives including GP member (as members) and District Industries Centre joint director (as member secretary) will be part of the committee. The committee is to look into the allegations of people with regard to pollution from MRPL Phase III unit;  the circular issued by S Umadevi, desk officer (technical cell), commerce and industries department states.

According to official Umadevi, the committee has been set up to review and take decisions with regard to the problems being faced by local residents because of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited. The committee has the jurisdiction to discuss issues related to environment pollution taken place/being taken place between Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited and villagers of Jokatte and other areas. 

Village residents of Jokatte and surrounding areas under the banner of Nagarika Horata Samiti have been fighting against Phase III unit of MRPL alleging air, water and noise pollution. KSPCB has served show cause notice to the unit and recommended the board to take action.

DK DC A B Ibrahim, in a letter dated June 6, 2015, had sought the commissioner for industrial development and director, department of industries and commerce to constitute a committee to resolve the issue between MRPL and local villagers at Jokatte.