Mangaluru, Apr 21: Residents of Jokatte stated a protest at Baikampady Industrial Estate demanding action against Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.
The residents who gathered under the banner of Nagarika Horata Samiti in front of the office of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board were registering their protest against air and water pollution from their coke yard and sulphur recovery units of MRPL operating in phase 3 area.
Speaking on behalf of protesters, activist Muneer Katipalla said that residents of Jokatte and the surrounding areas continued to bear the black dust from the coke yard. There was no reduction in the foul smell for residents from the sulphur recovery units. The board had only issued two showcause notices to the MRPL and has sat quiet.
Holding the Pollution Control Board responsible for continued pollution by MRPL, Mr Katipalla warned the Board against renewing licence for operation of the two units that comes to an end by July.
B.S. Hussain, convenor of the samiti, said that despite concerns shown by the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan to the problems of residents during this recent visit no visible action has been taken so far.
The residents are still not hearing about formation of the committee headed by Deputy Commissioner to consider acquisition of properties affected by air pollution from the two units.
Meanwhile, the local officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board said they are waiting for the orders of the board following reply of MRPL stating actions taken to prevent pollution.
The MRPL has maintained that the two units were not polluting and measures were being taken to maintain air quality within prescribed level.
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