By CT reporter
MANGALORE: Mangalore’s assistant commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatte had recently visited Atrukodi near Kuttettur following yet another complaint from locals with regard to oil leakage from the MRPL plant. Though the visit of this officer may not get that significance, what was amusing to see was the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board officer JS Nayak visiting the spot in the vehicle belonging to the MRPL which stands as an accused in this case.
The official team inspected the place and conducted an investigation mostly as an eye wash. It is learnt the officials who were almost surrounded by the MRPL officials, did not elicit the views of the villagers who have suffered much at the hands of the MRPL.
In yet another interesting revelation, it is said one of the main complainant William D’Souza was intimated of the arrival of the official team for investigation only after the official team left the place. Sources have revealed that this was just a ploy by the MRPL officials to see that the locals did not complain anything directly to the investigation officials.
The issue is before the AC court and investigations are being held.
What’s going on in Kuttettur?
The Atrukodi natural pond near Kuttettur has been the worst hit by the MRPL oil leakage as oil gets deposited in large quantities in this lake with the passing of each day. There is no doubt that the entire village would be in grave danger in the near future, considering the extent of oil leakage as of now.
Interestingly, the water of this natural pond has been the source of drinking water to people in Kuttettur, Soorinje and Bala. The special feature is that this pond is filled with water throughout the year and now it is also rich in petroleum.
This problem is not new as it has persisted since the past ten years. The several complaints had been of no avail as officials inspected the place after any complaint, collected water samples and then left the place. Nothing more happened.
Speaking to The Canara Times, William D’Souza, a former vice president of the local gram panchayat said so “we have been fighting against the oil leakage from MRPL plant for the past ten years. Earlier, the water from this pond nurtured our trees and plants, now it is harming them.†“As all the investigation officers are acting as MRPL agents, our problems have remained unresolved,†he says with regret.
Related news: