Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 16: In response to an alarm raised late evening on Saturday August 15 by the residents of Jokatte over flyaway black dust, a top official of MRPL along with KSPCB official visited the spot and collected samples. The dust samples are currently being analysed to ascertain the source and 24-hour close monitoring is being done, stated a media release from MRPL.

As per reports, ash from the coke sulphur unit of MRPL spread in the vicinity, forming a layer of black dust on houses, trees and plants.

The locals expressed anger at MRPL officials who arrived at the spot and even left fingerprints of the black dust on one of the official's clothes. They spoke of their problems and said that the elderly and the children in the vicinity had faced breathing problems for sometime because of the flyash.

The locals lamented that though have been complaining about the dust from MRPL for the past one year, no elected representative has responded to them.

MRPL said that a high powered team has also been put in place to review the entire critical process cycle in refinery operations, once again, for any possible mechanical or technical errors.

"MRPL is truly concerned about any flyaway dust if there is any, even if it occurs rarely, and will do everything possible to ensure that our neighbouring villagers are not put to any inconvenience," stated the MPRL management.

"MRPL is committed to protecting the environment while fulfilling its solemn duty of producing and supplying vital petroleum products of high quality (viz LPG, petrol, kerosene and diesel) to the district and the entire state of Karnataka, in service to the nation. But the company is equally concerned about the complaints raised by the neighbouring people of Jokatte and will do everything necessary to assuage it," it assured.