Ramanathapuram
Residents of coastal Krishnapuram and nearby villages attempted to enter South Ganga Water Technology Private Limited, a desalination plant at Krishnapuram near here, and ‘reside’ inside, alleging that its effluents posed serious health hazards and demanding its permanent closure.
Led by M. Sivaji, district secretary of CITU, and Karunamurthy, district secretary of the CITU affiliated Tamil Nadu Meenpidi Thozhirsanga Koottamaippu, people from Krishnapuram, Pudukudiuruppu and Panaikulam gathered near the plant on Saturday, when police stopped and prevented them from entering the plant. They dispersed after the police assured that action would be taken within 10 days.
After the villagers staged a series of agitations, alleging that the chemical-mixed waste water, let out by the plant, had polluted the groundwater and Annavi Oorani, which catered to the drinking water needs, Collector S. Natarajan had ordered the shutdown of the plant in July last.
The then Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) R. Baby, who enquired into the issue had ordered that the plant carry out some modifications, create fresh infrastructure and ensure that the waste water was not let out.
After the plant complied with the order, she permitted the plant to resume operation in February.
Alleging that the plant had not carried out the modifications in full, the villagers staged the protest, demanding compensation to the affected families, registration of criminal cases against plant officials who were “responsible” for causing pollution and a departmental enquiry against officials who ‘acted in favour of the plant.’
Alleging that the local residents faced kidney problems and health hazards after consuming the contaminated water, Mr Sivaji said the plant should be held responsible for this and made accountable. The medical team and the officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) who made enquiries, had acted ‘hand in glove’ with the plant, he alleged.
Preferring anonymity, a plant official said the RDO allowed resumption of operation only after they complied with all requirements. The plant was being run with permissions from Coastal Regulation Zone, Maritime Board, TNPCB, and local panchayat and complying with guidelines, he said.
When contacted, the Collector said the district administration would not mind looking into the issue afresh if necessary.
“If there is prima facie in the allegations of flaws, we will look into them,” he said. The plant has been functioning since 2005, supplying treated water to the gas-based power plants at Vazhuthur.
