Nayana J C

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru 

Mangaluru, Nov 3: Tension prevailed near the main gate of the Mangaluru Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) at Bajpe on Tuesday November 3 as local residents staged a protest, blocking the entrance and demanding immediate action over alleged pollution from the Gail Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (GMPL) unit. 

The protest followed complaints that powder-like particles suspected to have been released from the GMPL facility had fallen on houses, courtyards and even drinking water wells in the residential areas of Dhoomavathi Daama and surrounding localities on Monday night. The incident has triggered serious concerns among residents over public health and environmental safety. 

As the protest intensified, police personnel intervened and took the protesters away from the gate to bring the situation under control.

Residents alleged that the GMPL unit, which manufactures Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), had been causing environmental disturbances for several months, including loud noises during night hours, smoke and dust emissions, and the alleged discharge of contaminated water into the Phalguni River. They expressed disappointment that repeated complaints to the concerned authorities and district administration had not resulted in a permanent solution. 

The residents raised concerns over the possible presence of hazardous chemical substances in the powder-like particles. However, the exact composition of the material and its potential health effects are yet to be established. They demanded immediate scientific testing of samples collected from rooftops, courtyards and drinking water wells to determine whether the particles contained harmful chemicals. 

The protest was led by the president and councillors of Bajpe town panchayat, along with the president and members of the local protest committee and residents of the surrounding areas. They collectively demanded accountability from the GMPL management and urged the authorities to ensure the safety of people living near the industrial facility. 

The protesters demanded that samples be collected from the affected residential areas and tested at NABL-accredited laboratories. They also sought a detailed report on the chemical composition of the particles and their possible short-term and long-term effects on human health. 

Further, they called for a joint inspection by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and district administration to examine the unit's emissions, noise levels and wastewater discharge. They also demanded an independent assessment of the Phalguni River's water quality and a technical investigation into the incident. 

The residents warned that industrial development should not come at the cost of public health, drinking water and environmental safety. They urged the district administration and concerned departments to immediately inspect the affected areas, initiate appropriate legal action if violations are established and take precautionary measures to prevent further incidents.