Activist moves HC for disposal of chemicals

KOCHI:Edayar resident and activist Shamsudheen Edayar has moved the Kerala High Court for the safe disposal of the hazardous chemicals stored in the premises of now-defunct Edayar Zinc (formerly Binani Zinc) plant.Edayar Zinc Ltd, engaged in the production of Zinc at their factory located on the banks of river Periyar in Edayar Industrial Development area, abruptly stopped its operation at the end of 2014. The company closed down the factory without taking necessary steps to dispose of the leftover chemicals in their lines, tanks and reactors.

“The company virtually abandoned the industrial plant leaving no staff even to ensure safety and security of the plant. They have disconnected the electric supply to the factory. Without power, no pollution control measures can be taken or safety and fire fighting equipment can be operated,” said Ashkar Kadar, the petitioners’ counsel.

The PIL filed by Shamsudheen would be posted for hearing in an appropriate Bench on Tuesday.
There are altogether 19 respondents in the writ petition including state and Central environment departments, Central and state Pollution Control Boards, and Factories and Boilers Department.
The inspection conducted by the Factories and Boilers Department and State Pollution Control Board two years ago had revealed hazardous substances leftover inside the factory premises.

They had then noted that if not removed urgently from the premises in a scientific manner, the chemical has the potential of polluting the river and posing danger to the life and safety of the neighbouring settlements and environment.

The direction issued against the company in this regard was not complied with, the PIL notes. Several lakhs tonne of Jarosite, a hazardous waste is stored in the open and caped ponds in the factory premises. Adding to the worry, the Environmental Engineer of State PCB had reported the storage tanks and reactors are in a deplorable condition.