Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore


Mangalore, Oct 19: People living within 200-300 meters from the sulphur and coke units of Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Limited (MRPL) have vacated their homes and locals dwelling in the vicinity of Jokatte claim that water, sound, and air pollution caused by the new units is the cause.

The trees that emerged out of the lake at Meindagure, behind the old Mosque have turned flaccid indicating environment degradation of the area. The lake which now appears dark green and shabby, no longer accommodates aquatic creatures, thanks to water pollution. “One and a half years ago, we used to swim in the same lake which has now turned into a dump yard for MRPL”, accused B H Moideen Sharif, co-convener, Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti (JNHS).

The impact of the pollution has cut across two villages—Jokatte and Kalvaru—posing problems for 800 to 1,000 households in these localities. Abdul Hakim, a businessman residing in Jokatte, has installed an industrial water purifier worth Rs 1.5 lac to purify the water in the two open wells in his house. “Though the house is equipped with a purifier, the air pollution caused by MRPL has made our children vulnerable to cough and asthma,” said a relative of Hakim under the condition of anonymity. He added that the condition of many open wells in the place was no different.

Skin and respiratory problems among residents have considerably increased in the aftermath of the setting up of new units as part of the third phase of MRPL’s expansion. “Despite the units currently producing end product upto 25 percent of its capacity, we have been experiencing bizarre consequences,” lamented Sharif. He expressed anguish over the apathy of health and family welfare minister U T Khader and his failure to take out time to listen to the grievances of the locals.

The residents dwelling close to the sulphur and coke units were forced to leave the place as they saw this as the only solution. The houses built in Kattapuni and other places, which were shown to Daijiworld had been locked up. These people had been living in close proximity to the units and their property had not been acquired under the Mangalore Special Economic Zone.

“Gram Panchayat president Sheik Kunzhi has blatantly cheated us by dramatically winning a contract for constructing a compound wall in the place,” alleged Abdul Nazeer another co-convener of the JNHS. He alleged that due to his vested interests, Kunzhi had derailed the trust placed in him by the locals. He pointed out that the children of the labour class going to an Anganavadi located just 200 meters away from the MRPL units had been deprived of healthy space by the government.

A teacher at the Anganavadi echoed these views and said that the sound of the units and the stinky smell emanating could not be handled and the number of children being admitted to the Anganavadi had sharply declined. “The children and I cannot breathe due to the bad smell that usually lashes the vicinity in the morning hours”, she added.

However, the official spokesperson of MRPL said that they too are concerned about the issues raised by the people. The spokesperson alleged that a few arguments put forth by the residents were intended to threaten MRPL and win employment and contracts. The official confirmed that they do not let out waste into the lake and the coke unit has not yet started its operation as reported to the media by the locals.

“We have collected the water samples of the villages and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board also has the sample,” said the spokesperson and added that the report will give a complete picture about the reasons behind the pollution.