Pollution Control Board Chairman inspects UPCL plant; hears woes of villagers

Pollution Control Board Chairman inspects UPCL plant; hears woes of villagers

Mangalore Today News Network

 PADUBIDRI, Dec 21, 2012  :  Dr Vaman Acharya, Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, accompanied by Rajashekhar Puranik, Udupi District Pollution Control Officer, visited the  UPCL Thermal plant at Ellur near Padubidri on December 20, Thursday. The two officials inspected the coal complex, pumping station, cooling tower and fly ash pit of the plant.

 

 

 

 

Later speaking to reporters, Acharya said he was aware of the  problems faced by people of the vicinity due to the UPCL thermal plant.  The company has taken some measures to mitigate the hardship of the locals, he said and at the same time added the visit  will help them take a suitable decision. The  Board is meant to protect environment and also to protect the interest of the people, he clarified.

UPCL’s Chief Operation Officer Ravindran briefed the Pollution Control Board officials of the measures taken by the company to reduce environmental pollution. The company CEO Panduranga Rao, Vice President Kishore Alva, Ramachandra Bhat and others were present.

Vijaykumar Hegde, Vice President of the State Raitha Sangha, who was also present, said he has apprised the KSPCB Chairman of the hardships of the locals due to the project. “The company has not taken any step to develop a green belt in the project area,  the moisture in the coal yard has led to the contamination of the local well waters. The company has also not set up desalination plant, “ he said and added he had tried to convince the KSPCB Chairman that there was a need to  suspend operations of the plant.

Shashidhar Shetty, District Secretary of Raitha Sangha, Prashanth Shetty, Jayanth Kumar of Nandikur Jana Jagrithi Samithi,  and several locals aired their grievance before the officials.

The situation turned tense for some time when the villagers and Raitha Sangha leaders present there took strong exception to the statement of a company official that the water in the  project area was fit for consumption.