Having been satisfied that the pet coke and sulphur units of Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) are causing severe air pollution, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued show-cause notice to the company to bring the pollution under control.

Lapse regretted

Meanwhile, Board Chairman Vaman Acharya, who had on Tuesday said they did not receive any complaint from the public, made amends and said complaints and reports were in fact received; but he was not aware of them as they did not reach him yet.

While Rajashekar Puranik, Environment Officer with the Board in Mangaluru said show-cause notice was issued a couple of days ago to MRPL following inspection of the unit on February 10 and 12, Dr. Acharya said MRPL would first be allowed to reduce pollution levels.

“We have suggested fogging of the coke plant with fine water particles to make the dust to settle down and also to erect 20 ft tall wind breaking sheets. The Board has also asked the company to gradually resort to covered production,” he said. MRPL should also ensure that sprinkling of water does not further lead to water pollution with particles entering water bodies.

If the levels of pollution are not reduced despite the company taking these measures, the Board would not hesitate to order closure of the units, Dr. Acharya said. “As a government company, MRPL has got certain limits based on our earlier experiences. If however the norms are breached, action would follow,” he added.

Supporting Board’s pro-people attitude, Dr. Acharya said KSPCB was successful in getting the diesel power plant at Yelahanka, off Bengaluru, closed down following severe air pollution.

As a government company, MRPL has got certain limits based on our earlier experiences. If the norms are breached, action would follow

Vaman Acharya admits complaints were received, regrets lapse on his part