The Hindu : Karnataka News : Residents demand relocation of rice mills

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Residents demand relocation of rice mills

Staff Correspondent

A source of worry: Work in progress at a rice mill at Mandakki Bhatti area in Chitradurga.

Chitradurga: Several residents of Mandakki Bhatti locality of the city have demanded the immediate removal of puffed rice mills from the residential area because they were causing ill-health and serious breathing problems to them.

In the public grievances meeting here on Saturday, the residents told Deputy Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas that despite the ban, mill owners were using tyres for fuel, which released toxic smoke. Hanumantappa, a representative, told The Hindu that the locality had over 40 mills. “The thick smoke and gases released by them forces us to inhale dangerous toxins which only increase the risk of lung-related problems,” he said.

Recent practice

Mr. Hanumantappa said that the mills were set up 40 years ago, but it was only five years ago that the practice of burning tyres was started. He said to prevent ash from entering houses, people had to keep their windows and doors closed, which was not feasible. Because of constant release of smoke and ash, the houses appeared to be coated with carbon. One-inch thick ash had accumulated on the roofs while even trees in surrounding areas had turned black, he said.

Explaining the consequences of such a release, an official of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, who was present at the meeting, said that prolonged inhalation of smoke could cause chronic bronchitis, breathing problems or even asthma.

He said that according to environmental norms, smoke and gas-generating mills should be located on the outskirts of the city. The present mills were situated outside the city limits, but over the years, the increase in colonies had brought the mills amidst human habitation. Now, the demand for relocating them further away had increased in last five years, he said.

Response

In response to their complaint, the Deputy Commissioner said that five acres of land had been identified near Old Bangalore Road. After preparing a layout plan, the mills would be shifted to the new place. The whole process could take three months.

Meanwhile, he instructed the municipal authorities to seize all the tyres from the mills and instruct mill owners to increase the height of chimneys by eight to 12 feet from the roof level.

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