KOCHI: Greens have sought action against Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Ltd (CMRL) for discharging toxic effluents to the River Periyar on Friday night. Activists of Jana Jagrata fighting against pollution in Periyar alleged that they had caught the company red-handed while releasing toxic effluents near the Pathalam Bund. Jana Jagrata activist Iqbal and his friend detected the act and informed the local people, said a release, who informed the Pollution Control Board which had collected samples.
Action should be taken against the company for releasing untreated polluted water to the river, the source of drinking water for nearly 40 lakh people in Kochi and surrounding areas, they said. The PCB should consider closing down the plant and prosecute them under the Water Act. Dr GD Martin, scientist and green activist, alleged that the industrial units on the banks of the river are dumping toxic waste into the river ahead of the visit of the officials of the Central Pollution Control Board as per the orders of the National Green Tribunal to study the problem.
“They wanted to hoodwink the officials by emptying all effluents to create an impression that they are not generating any toxic effluents on their premises,” he said. Green activists have also alleged that the CMRL has a dubious track record in taking pollution control measures and all awards given to it for pollution control should be taken back by the respective agencies
