The Hindu : Karnataka / Mangalore News : Setback to efforts to set up incinerator unit at Karnad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mangalore

Setback to efforts to set up incinerator unit at Karnad

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE, FEB. 10. The efforts by Hyderabad-based Medicare Incin Private Ltd. to set up an incinerator facility to dispose of bio-medical waste at the KIADB industrial area at Karnad in Mulki has received a temporary setback. The Chief Minister has directed the district administration not to permit the company to start operations till all related issues are sorted out amicably.

This decision is also a victory of sorts for the Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike, K.S. Rao Nagar, Karnad in Mulki, which has been spearheading an agitation against the company. In fact, members of the Vedike stormed the office of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board at Bykampady on Monday and demanded that the company shift its operation out of the Karnad industrial area.

Confirming the Chief Minister's directive in this regard, the Deputy Commissioner, Arvind Srivastava, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that the company had come forward to collect and dispose of the bio-medical waste as per an agreement with the local nursing homes association. He said a scientific waste disposal system was a must as per a recent Supreme Court directive to all States.

Failed attempt

An attempt to set up a similar facility at Balepuni village in Bantwal taluk had failed as the panchayat there had refused to grant building license to its promoters. The Deputy Commissioner said a memorandum of understanding signed in this regard too lapsed as the promoter failed to adhere to commitments. Medicare Incin entered the scene at this time with its Karnad project.

Noting that Medicare had obtained no objection certificate from the board under the Environment Protection Act, he said they were awaiting clearances under the Water Act and the Air Act. The company in the meanwhile was carrying out its operations on an experimental basis at Karnad, the Deputy Commissioner said and added that they had since been directed to stop all activities.

On the fears expressed by local people about the likelihood of pollution by the functioning of the incinerator, he said experts should handle these issues. The administration could not react to protests based on superficial knowledge of functioning of any industry. This would set a bad precedent given that the district was poised for industrial growth, he said.

Mr. Srivatsava said the Chief Minister had also asked Medicare to sort out the issues with the Minister for Industries at the earliest. Noting that he had not received any request about this so far, the Deputy Commissioner said his office would forward it to the Ministry. The company would then have to seek an appointment with the Minister and present its case to resolve the issues.

D.K. Nagaraj, director of the company, recently told the press that Medicare had adhered to all guidelines laid down by State and the Central Pollution Control Boards. The company could hope to become fully operational in six months, he had pointed out.

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