Factory boiler collapse pollutes 100 acres farmland

Chemical mixed water from a factory boiler that collapsed at a sugar factory near Maddur, on Tuesday, has destroyed over 100 acres of farmland and injured a factory employee. It is learnt that the boiler was damaged but not replaced.

The mishap occurred in NLS Sugar Factory at Koppa, in the taluk, on Wednesday morning. Government officers and police rushed to the spot to take assess the damage.

Shimsha canal polluted

Government officers said that the stent vase water tank of the factory collapsed and the water, mixed with chemicals, spilled into the farmland nearby. The chemical-mixed water also entered the Shimsha canal, causing anxiety among farmers of the lands irrigated by the canal.

Protest

Farmers and activists thronged the factory premises as the news of the mishap spread. They staged a protest demanding stringent action against the factory management.

Mandya sub-division Assistant Commissioner Rajesh and Superintendent of Police Shivaprakash Devaraj visited the spot, along with their teams.

Meet to discuss remedial action

A meeting, involving the AC, SP, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board officials, Tahsildar, other taluk-level officials, and the management of the factory, was held to discuss measures to check further damage and remedial action.

Government officers said, that the soil fertility in over 100 acres of farmland was lost. It would take at least a decade for nature to undo the damage. Farmer leaders demanded compensation for the affected landowners.

“The soil in the polluted lands and canal water must be tested in a lab. The canal water feeds Shimsha River. Steps must be taken to stop the flow. As a precaution, suitable antidotes must be added to the water, to arrest contamination,” farmer leaders demanded.