Panel gathers info, collects water for test from UPCL site

GP should supply water to villagers affected by ash pond

The panel was led by Karnataka State Bio Fuel Development Board President Dr Y B Ramakrishna.

He collected information on the method adopted by the UPCL to dump the ashes. When the committee was told that an open lorry was dumping the ash in the region, they questioned the staff at the site.

Nagesh Rao, a local resident said that the water-level increases at the ash pond during monsoon and the same can be found in wells in the surrounding areas. “The ash has damaged the farm land the wells have become contaminated,” he alleged.

Stating that drinking water contamination is a serious issue, Dr Ramakrishna suggested that the Gram Panchayat should take measure to supply water.

“If there was shortage of funds with the Gram Panchayat, then the district administration and the government can supply water,” he said.

Later, in the evening, the team visited those areas which have been affected with fly ash. It visited the houses of Vasudeva Rao and Vimala.

“Owing to fly ash, a child in the house of Jayanth Bhat has developed skin disease and Vasudeva Rao is suffering from asthama. Jasmine cultivation has been affected in the house of Vimala,” a resident said. The committee also collected well water for testing. Dr Ramakrishna regretted that the company has failed to respond to the woes of the public.

“The information provided by the company to the Committee is not clear. We have asked technical details from the company. The company should respond to the basic facilities of the villagers,” he said and also contacted Udupi Deputy Commisisoner Dr M T Reju over phone and directed to test the samples of water from the wells in the region and to take steps to supply water.