Protest with `polluted water'

The Hindu, Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Correspondent : staff reporter
COIMBATORE, SEPT. 13. The residents of Mahadevapuram, Nellithurai Road in Mettupalayam today thronged the Collectorate to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the air pollution caused by an industrial unit and the resultant health hazards faced by them.

Five women from Mahadevapuram represented the five hundred odd affected residents carrying bottles containing `polluted' water and boxes containing ashes. The residents alleged that a local textile-bleaching unit was using furnace oil for its boilers and the smoke emanating from the chimneys led to air pollution.

The smoke emitted by these chimneys got mixed in the air and was found to be settling down on food items, clothes, water and does not even spare the roofs, floors and walls of the houses. Houses with tiled roofs were the worst hit. Housewives were forced to clean the house at least half-a-dozen times every day. Further air pollution had led to serious health problems for the residents of 500 houses in the vicinity of the unit. Mahadevapuram has nearly 900 houses. The residents complained of irritation in eyes, dry coughs, and respiratory problems.

Repeated representations had gone in vain and the authorities and the factory management resorted to ad hoc solutions, they said. Assurances given were never carried out.

The residents presented a memorandum to the Collector and have threatened to stage a fast-unto- death at Mettupalayam, if their "right to live" was not protected.

 
SOURCE : The Hindu,Tuesday, September 14, 2004
 


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