Special Correspondent
THE HINDU
June 21, 2006
“Units constructing illegal buildings”
- Untreated effluents from units released into the Uppanar
- Official appeals to TNPCB to post an assistant engineer permanently
- Automatic equipment should be set up to monitor pollution level round the clock
CUDDALORE: Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation general secretary M. Nizamuddin called for the shifting of chemical units (on the banks of the Uppanar) to safer places for the safety of residents near the industrial estate and marine life.
The premises of certain chemical units in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate were flooded with water up to five feet in height during the tsunami and the recent floods.
When the water drained, hazardous chemical waste dumped here was washed off into the Uppanar.
In a representation to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Mr. Nizamudeen alleged that certain units were producing chemicals not permitted by the TNPCB, and in certain others, the quantity produced was far more than that allowed.
Some units constructed additional buildings without the permission of the TNPCB. He said since they did not observe the zero discharge norms, untreated effluents were let into the Uppanar.
Employees handling the common effluent treatment facility were not given security cover. Mr. Nizamudeen said uncleared chemical dumps in certain units were potential hazards to human safety.
Primary health centre
The forum official appealed to the TNPCB to permanently post an assistant engineer in the industrial estate to deal with problem immediately.
He called for setting up a Primary Health Centre in the estate to provide medical attention to people in nearby villages.
Automatic equipment with computer backup should be set up in the estate to monitor the pollution level round-the-clock, Mr. Nizamudeen added.