In the backdrop of receiving complaints by the general public over the dumping of waste at Modapadavu, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (Mangalore) has issued a show cause notice to Mangalore Refineries and Petro-chemicals Ltd on December 6.
The show cause notice has been served for non-compliance of consent conditions and violation of the Water and Air Acts of the Environment Protection Act 1986.
According to the notice issued by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board , Mangalore, the site near the vented dam on the stream that flows from Kuthethoor towards Soorinje where the waste is dumped, was inspected by Assistant Environmental Officer, following which a discussion was held with the MRPL officials. The KSPCB has made following observations during the site visit.
“The land development activity is under progress near Central Industrial Security Force quarters and the it was told that the land under development is for parade ground development of M/s MRPL.
Two trucks of said solid waste were standing at the site and ready to dump the material and they were stopped and asked to take back to the industry storage site. There is small stream of water flowing near the dump site and people informed that they are using the stream water for their domestic needs and agriculture purpose. The water sample from the stream was collected and sent to laboratory for analysis.”
Further, the report states that during the time of inspection the authorities were said that the waste is aluminium silica flakes which is non hazardous in nature.
Samples of solid waste disposed at the site were collected and the sample belongs to M/s MRPL (as the MRPL officials present at the site confirmed). The public apprehension was that the waste disposed is of hazardous in nature and the same may cause serious problems to the man and environment.
“In view of the above it is observed that the industry has violated the consent conditions and the provisions under Water Act and Air Act also appears to be not serious in implementing pollution control measures.
Hence, a show cause notice has been served to MRPL and the company has been asked to respond to the notice with in seven days of receiving it and explain why the office shall not recommend to the Board to initiate action against the industry under the provisions of Water and Air Act and Rules and also Environmental Protection Act 1986.”
The company has also been directed to remove waste already dumped and store it within the premises till it confirms hazardous or non hazardous.