NEERI report on pollution in August: Panel

Mangaluru: Karnataka Legislative Council’s Assurance Committee headed by MLC BM Farooq said that the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will submit a final report on environmental, air and water pollution, and its impact on people in and around the Mangaluru Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) and MRPL, in August.
Forooq told reporters here on Monday, that the NEERI has submitted an interim report, and that a final report will be submitted to the committee in August. “Industries and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have been claiming that there is no harm to the environment. However, pollution has been noticed in water sources in the area. Further, instances of skin diseases, breast cancer and heart disease were also noticed, and deaths of fish species were reported. The NEERI has taken into consideration all these aspects. We will consider the final report of the NEERI, and take steps,” Farooq said.
On health issues faced by people residing in a 15km radius of industries, he said that a medical institution in the city has been given the responsibility to conduct a study. The institute is expected to submit a report in another three months, he said. “The committee will submit a report on various issues pertaining to Ullal city soon. The Ullal coast has been facing the problem of sea erosion, and the city has also not been provided underground drainage,” he said.