Oily effluents discharged into water bodies; KSPCB issues notice to MRPL

Mangaluru: The water bodies in the vicinity of Thokur and Jokatte areas are being contaminated by the oily effluents of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL). Reportedly, the Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) issued notice to the refinery for corrective action.

For the past week, locals have been seeing blackish oily water flowing in the stormwater drains of the refinery area. These drains connect to the Thokur stream of the Phalguni River.

The Nagarika Horata Samiti, which works for the local community issues, pointed out that the problem had cropped up about six years ago when petrochemical wastewater was let into stormwater drains. Back then, immediate action was taken after a massive protest.

However, the committee said that this time contaminated water continued to flow into the river despite repeated complaints made to MRPL officials.

According to a TNIE report, MRPL General Manager (corporate communication) Dr. Rudolph Noronha the contamination was due to recent maintenance carried out at the plant. According to the report, some units in the plant were shut down due to a slump in demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and their maintenance was carried out.

The brackish water generated during maintenance, which was being stored in the Contaminated Rain Water (CRW) systems, allegedly escaped into the neighbouring stormwater drains before it could be treated. The matter was reported to the KSPCB later.

KSPCB officers collected samples of the contaminated water and issued notice to MRPL for taking immediate action.

The company officials have promised to adhere to KSPCB directives and take steps to prevent such an event from occurring in the future. “We have plans to deploy oil catchers along the stormwater channels,” Dr. Noronha said.

 

With inputs from TNIE