Paradip Pragati Parisada general secretary Manindra Guru has strongly opposed the way the Kalinga lancer Carbon ltd’s plant here is being operated.
He told mediapersons that the company authorities are influencing the local political leaders and contractors who have business interests with them. Factors like production without valid order of Government and pollution control board, without appointment local land losers and local people have irked locals and may trigger an agitation, he warned.
Guru pointed out that the newly-constructed petroleum coke product plant of the company is going to start its production very soon. But without any pollution protecting system adopted or fulfilling the terms and conditions of Odisha State Pollution Control Board Rules, the company has dared to start production, he alleged.
He said this is the second unit of the parent company, Paradeep Carbons ltd, which later changed its name to Goa Carbons ltd and started production in 1996 at Udayabata. The carbon plants are very hazardous to human health and environment. After production by the Goa Carbon plant the villagers of Udayabata, Balijhara, Atharbanki area are facing serious health problems like heart ailments, cancer and asthma and other respiratory problems.
Even the atmosphere in and around Udayabata is always foggy and the dusts generated by the plant are entering homes, Guru said.
In September 2013 a public hearing camp was held about the Kalinga lancers Carbon Plant. Many social activities and political leaders had strongly opposed starting of the second plant at Paradip. So, the State Government did not allow carbon plant production, he alleged.