Dumping of ‘toxic’ wastes by MRPL triggers panic in Moodapadavu

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 8, 2012: There was panic in Moodapadavu on the outskirts of Mangalore when villagers noticed dumping of several truckloads of wastes from the Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), close by a stream in the area.

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Villagers also blocked two trucks which had dumped huge quantity of ball shaped and rod shaped chemical wastes, which they believed was toxic.

Reports said as many as 25 truck loads of wastes had been dumped in the area and then covered with mud at a place where the MRPL was planning a playground for children.

A local resident revealed that he saw a truck loaded with wastes and a black liquid leaking. As the news spread there was panic as villagers of this area have already faced the brunt of oil leakage from the refinery through the stream. They even demanded that all the dumped wastes be removed.

It is learnt, samples of the wastes have been collected by officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, while the police have directed the MRPL to remove the waste from the area.

However, officials from MRPL’s technical division claimed that the wastes were ‘non-hazardous.’ They also argued that the ‘inert alumina ceramic balls do not do any harm and was dumped in MRPL land.” They further said such wastes are used as fillers while tarring roads or leveling playgrounds.

Sources meanwhile said that a worker at MRPL has himself revealed that the ceramic balls get covered with toxic chemicals during the refining process at the plant.

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