Six charcoal manufacturing units sealed in Kangeyam

Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on Wednesday sealed six charcoal manufacturing units near Kangeyam in Tirupur district following repeated complaints of pollution from residents in those areas and operating without obtaining formal approval.
Residents of Thottiyapatti have petitioned the Kangeyam tahsildar several times seeking to close the units. A total of 23 pits used to burn coconut shells to make charcoal were sealed by the TNPCB officials in Alambadi panchayat.
While 13 of the 23 pits were owned by Loganathan in Thottiyapatti village, three pits were owned by Karthick of Varathappampalayam village, five pits owned by K N Subramaniam and two pits owned by Arjunan. Besides, two units in Veeranampalayam were also sealed.
According to a senior official from the TNPCB from Tirupur district, the charcoal making units created air pollution and affected the quality of ground water.