Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman Lakshman on Wednesday said the Board will file an appeal to the National Green Tribunal to ensure that the factory is permanently closed down.
He was speaking to DH after visiting the areas around Graphite India Limited in Whitefield and after interacting with the residents.
“I have made a detailed observation and the report will be submitted to the NGT. The pollution levels are high and it needs to be addressed immediately,” he said.
Over 100 Whitefield residents had gathered around GIL to voice their opinion about the increasing pollution levels. “In a week’s time, a report along with an appeal will be submitted to NGT. License for operation will not be given,” Lakshman said.
“We will press before the NGT to ensure that the stay obtained by GIL from the Karnataka High Court for continuing operations is also vacated. I observed that the buildings, including the hospital near GIL, are covered with pollutants,” Lakshman said.
Also present on the occasion was a member of Whitefield Rising Nitya Ramakrishna, who said it was not a protest but a way of showing anguish. KSPCB officials were informed that umpteen number of water tankers being used to bring down the levels of pollution served no purpose.
“There’s constant foul smell, -believed to be sulfur- is said to be the source. There is a black layer covering every wall in the area,” she said.
The residents pointed that over 40 lakh residents of Mahadevapura Assembly constituency are affected by GIL.
“GIL is older than most residential establishments. So when the government agencies were aware of its presence they should not have given residential and commercial permission around this industry. This needs to be set right now,” said a resident.