Panchayat shuts polluting oil recycling unit at Anathapuram industrial park in Kasaragod | Kozhikode News

Kasaragod: Amid public outcry against Anathapuram industrial park in Kumbla for allegedly contaminating nearby household wells and water bodies, Puthige panchayat has closed down an oil recycling unit functioning at the park.The move was based on district collector’s directive to Puthige panchayat secretary. As per the panchayat secretary’s order, Komban Lubes, an oil recycling unit, should immediately stop operations until further orders. The company shouldn’t function until a detailed report is submitted to district collector after a joint study by the environmental engineer, state pollution control board executive engineer, Kerala water authority officers, panchayat secretary and district medical officer under the leadership of district industrial centre manager.Nearly 450 families in ward 10 and 500 families in ward 11 of the panchayat have been affected by the pollution. Their wells and other water bodies are facing severe contamination due to industrial waste discharged allegedly from the industrial estate. Water is now oily, tastes metallic and smells bad. A few days ago, fish were found dead in the wells. Now, a filmy layer has been formed on the water surface.The residents said they didn’t take it seriously initially. “First, a thin oil layer was formed on the water surface in a well in the area last week and it slowly turned darker later. Same scenario was found in nearby wells too in the next few days. Now, almost all household wells have been affected,” said Krishna P N, a resident.Satheesha M, panchayat member from ward 11, said the locality hasn’t witnessed such an issue before. “Most people living the area depend on agriculture. With contamination of water sources, people are struggling to find potable water for daily use and to rear cattle,” he added.“We are sure two polluting companies — the oil recycling unit and a chicken waste rendering plant — are the reasons behind the pollution. These units are discharging waste into the area due to lack of proper waste management mechanism. These units should be closed down,” he said.