Stany Bela

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 13: A tar mixing unit in Arkula Bail in the outskirts of Mangaluru city has become a nightmare to villagers living in the area.

Since the last 25 years, over 150 families are protesting against the operation of Rajkamal tar-mixing unit, which they allege is violating, rules and harming their health and environment.

Arkula Bail and Tippekal villages are in residential and agriculture area. But the heavy chemical mixed smoke, heat and pungent smell has made living difficult for the residents. The mixing of tar with metal pieces generates large volumes of dust and the nearby residents are suffering from bronchitis, fever, wheezing and skin disorders.

As per residents of Arkula, since the unit was opened, they have voiced their opposition, met hundreds of governmental officials, representatives and concerned authorities. However, their attempts are futile. They claim and grieve that the pollution has turned their fertile agricultural land into dry land. While many depend on animal husbandry for income, they had to give up this due to death of animals. The worst affected are infants who struggle to breathe, the residents point out.

"For the past 20 years we are knocking on the doors of officials, begging them to close the unit which is violating rules. We have only received oral assurances while the firm continues to operate smoothly. As we are all farmers, we don’t know how to proceed in legal way. We request media, environment activists and human right activists to raise voice on behalf of us. Our life has become miserable," says Vaman, a resident of Arkula Bail.

“As per the rules, the unit should be operated in a fully enclosed structure with concrete flooring. Adequate chimney height, water sprinkler system and noise control measures are also must. However, the operators are running the unit without obeying the instructions of the Pollution Control Board. It is suspected that some officials are involved in it," says Gratian, a local resident of Tippekal.

Unit operates in railway land?

As per locals, the firm started to operate on a 50 cent land which was a private property of a person. The unit is very near to Arkula railway gate which connects to Tippekal and Omzur Church. But now the firm has encroached around two acres of land which comes under railway, the locals allege.

Several times the locals brought this to the notice of officials. However they allege that the officials did not show any interest to vacate the firm from their land.

"It is very clear that the tar mixing firm is operating in the land of railway. The railway officials know this very well. But  they are not taking action. We also met the officials and explained about encroachment and requested for action. If the railway takes action, the unit will be forced to vacate the area. Then, we can get back our health and clean atmosphere for agriculture. Few times officials visited the spot and assured us that they will ask the firm to vacate. They also said notices were issued to the tar mixing unit. But later we came to know that those are all oral assurances. They are not willing to take action against the unit," says Rajesh, a resident of Arkula junction.