People complain of air pollution

The Hindu , Thursday, January 25, 2007
Correspondent : Staff Correspondent
Residents stage rasta roko against poor state of NH 63 Residents protest against poor state of NH 63

„h MLA alleges delay in filling potholes despite release of funds

„h Official says work will be completed before February-end

BELLARY: Kurgodu MLA Suryanarayan Reddy, along with people of Amarapur and surrounding villages in Bellary taluk, and merchants staged a rasta roko at Amarapur village on Thursday to protest against the poor state of NH 63.

Mr. Reddy said the bad road condition coupled with movement of heavy vehicles transporting iron ore, was causing air pollution. The dust affected residents and also crops on either side of the NH 63.

As a result of the agitation, traffic on the highway between Bellary-Anantapur and Guntakal was disrupted for over four hours. Mr. Reddy expressed concern over the inordinate delay and negligence of officials concerned in filling potholes on NH 63 despite the release of funds.

Air quality

The ambient air quality in Amarapur village that was tested by the office of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board in Bellary had proved that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) was six times more than the permissible limits. As against the permissible limit of 200, the SPM was over 1,262.

Criticised

He pulled up Chandraiah, Assistant Executive Engineer, NH 63 sub-division, Hospet, for delaying patchworks and also for not sprinkling water on the road to stem dust pollution.

He withdrew the agitation following an assurance by Mr. Chandraiah, in the presence of Assistant Commissioner T.H.M. Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil and other officials, that the Executive Engineer in Chitradurga would visit the area on January 27 and hold discussions with the MLA and officials concerned before preparing fresh estimates. With regard to patchworks, Mr. Chandraiah said that the works would be completed before the end of February.

Mine lorries

Mr. Reddy urged the RTO to ensure that the mine lorries covered the iron ore with tarpaulin properly so as to prevent dust pollution. He also asked them to prevent the movement of mine lorries on HLC Canal Road. Hanumanthappa, president of Bellary, Raichur and Koppal Milk Producers Union; Janata Dal activists Shivaprakash and Janekunte Basavaraj were among those who participated in the agitation.

 
SOURCE : The Hindu, Thursday, January 25, 2007
 


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