Comply with green clearance terms, government tells MRPL

The state government on Wednesday directed Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) to take measures to comply with environmental clearance conditions within a stipulated time.

The Commerce and Industries department in an order, has directed the MRPL to acquire necessary land between the MRPL and the affected Jokatte village for the development of a green belt and buffer zone.

The company has also been asked to immediately stop storage of sulphur in an open yard and provide a covered shed for this purpose before June, 2017, the order stated.

The residents of Jokatte village and the surrounding areas had been complaining suspension of black dust powder, leading to water and air pollution. The government had in September last year set up a committee under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district to look into the matter. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board had also formed a separate technical committee to examine the complaint.

Both the committees had prepared an action plan after inspecting the affected places, and holding several rounds of discussions with the MRPL officials. The MRPL had agreed to implement the action plan prepared jointly by the committee to mitigate pollution. The government has issued an order based on the action plan.

Besides, the MRPL has been asked to provide a closed overhead diverter system at the top of coke drum to avoid accidental coke dust carry over. The company will have to shift the pet coke storage silos on the northern side of the delayed coker unit and heavy slop tanks to a new location away from habitation, as per the order.