The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : PCB issues notice to factory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 29, 2006
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

PCB issues notice to factory

Special Correspondent

Following complaints of air, water pollution caused

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued notice to the management of English Indian Clays at Veli for violating environmental safeguards and pollution control laws.

The notice quoting the PCB member secretary said the action followed complaints of air and water pollution caused by the plant. A team from the PCB had inspected the factory and the premises on December 16.

The notice said 55,000 tonnes of raw clay were kept in the open in the factory premises. It said a large portion of the rejects was being sent outside for filling low-lying lands in violation of PCB guidelines.

The notice observed that the sludge from the effluent treatment plant was dumped in the open space in the factory premises. It also noted that the leachate flowing out through storm water drains contaminate the backwaters. The sewage treatment plant was not running properly.

The factory has been accused of careless dumping of china clay in the packing area, leading to dust contamination in the entire neighbourhood. The boundary wall of the factory was found breached at many places.

Invoking the provisions of the Water Act, Air Act and Environment Act, the notice threatens to prosecute the company for the observed violations. The management has been asked to reply to the charges within seven days.

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