Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim visited houses at Jokatte that have been affected by pollution due to release of dust from a chemical unit of an industry.
The visit on Thursday was in the backdrop of complaints by the residents of the locality. After carrying out a review, Ibrahim said that a recommendation would be sent to the government, to direct to the company to take necessary safety measures.
The officer, who spoke to reporters later, said that he has taken note of the fact that pollution in the area was beyond the permissible level. “There is a need for the company to take proper measures to control the pollution level. As an alternative, it will have to acquire more land in the vicinity of the factory, after getting the people to shift,” instructed the deputy commissioner.
“Up to 250 acres of land have been sanctioned to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and a third of this land has to be converted into a green area – which is yet to be done. As far as shifting the people is concerned, the decision can be taken only at government level. Hence, a recommendation for the same will be sent to the district administration,” informed Ibrahim.
The residents at Jokatte, in turn, vented out their anger against the industry and said that the health of the people in the vicinity had been deteriorating due to the chemical dust emitted by the factory. “Children and the elderly resident, especially, are suffering from respiratory disorders. The water in the wells is getting contaminated. The thick dust rests upon the buildings, causing nuisance to the people,” complained the people.
Some residents concurred that the company had not developed the green area in the acquired land. There are about 70 families in the affected area, they said, and added that the houses near the Bhajana Mandir at Nirmunje were the worst affected.