Mangaluru: Jokatte residents woes to be resolved by committee

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 25, 2015: A committee is all set to be formed by  Karnataka State Pollution Control Board headed by an expert, and representatives of MRPL - Mangalore Refinary and Petrochemicals Ltd. and the residents of Jokkatte to look into the problems caused by the pet coke and sulphur storage yard in MRPL phase III.  A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting on May 5.

As per information,  committee will be headed by G. Srinikethan, Professor, National Institute of Technology, Surathkal. The other members are Director (Refinery), MRPL; senior environment officer from KSPCB, a representative from the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner’s office and two representatives of the Nagarika Horata Samiti, which has been leading a protest. Environment Officer of KSPCB, Mangaluru, will be convener of the committee.

The residents of Jokatte and neighbouring areas protested  demanding closure of the pet coke and sulphur storage yard citing the problems caused by the dust and pollution.  The Environment Officer from the KSPCB inquired into the allegations and issued a show-cause notice to the MRPL for not adhering to norms for mitigation of noise, smell and emissions. In a meeting chaired by KSPCB chairman Vaman Acharya, the MRPL officials gave a presentation of the steps taken at the coke and sulfur yard, including installation of a 300-ft high wind break fencing to mitigate dust flying, which, the officials said, had been hampered following the opposition from residents.   The board in its order dated June 4 asked MRPL to make arrangements including stoppage of production of sulfur lumps and instead store sulfur in palletized form in silos.  The committee headed by Prof.  Srinikethan has been asked to study, identify and give solutions.