Coimbatore: As many as 20,000 residents from Appanayakanpatti, Varapatti, Selakarachal in Sulur in Coimbatore district raised a hue and cry to halt the iron ore extraction factories from operating in their locality.
Coimbatore: As many as 20,000 residents from Appanayakanpatti, Varapatti, Selakarachal in Sulur in Coimbatore district raised a hue and cry to halt the iron ore extraction factories from operating in their locality.
In spite of several petitions by residents, no solution was offered. However, the officials from TNPCB, SIDCO and Health Department visited the spot and assured people that they would halt the factory from functioning.
Several hundred people joined hands to write to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's cell regarding the issue, besides meeting local officials to stop completely the functioning of the factory which continues to emanate toxic smoke and puts people at risk of health hazards. The ten iron ore extraction factories that operate in this locality exhibit toxic smoke causing damage to agricultural land too which is the source of livelihood for many people in the area.
Social activist Thirunavukarasu protested that the factories still continued to operate besides officials promising to halt their operation. "We have been reiterating to the officials about the seriousness of health implications due to the toxic smoke but nobody listens to us,” lamented the social activist.
However, in 2019, the TNPCB in its reply to the concerns raised by the residents clarified that the operation of the factories were in adherence to the stipulated conditions and hence were provided permission to operate while ensuring that the emission will satisfy the ambient air quality standards prescribed by the board.
In spite of several petitions by residents, no solution was offered. However, the officials from TNPCB, SIDCO and Health Department visited the spot and assured people that they would halt the factory from functioning.
Several hundred people joined hands to write to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's cell regarding the issue, besides meeting local officials to stop completely the functioning of the factory which continues to emanate toxic smoke and puts people at risk of health hazards. The ten iron ore extraction factories that operate in this locality exhibit toxic smoke causing damage to agricultural land too which is the source of livelihood for many people in the area.
Social activist Thirunavukarasu protested that the factories still continued to operate besides officials promising to halt their operation. "We have been reiterating to the officials about the seriousness of health implications due to the toxic smoke but nobody listens to us,” lamented the social activist.
However, in 2019, the TNPCB in its reply to the concerns raised by the residents clarified that the operation of the factories were in adherence to the stipulated conditions and hence were provided permission to operate while ensuring that the emission will satisfy the ambient air quality standards prescribed by the board.