Nitta Gelatin company pollutes water, says Central Pollution Control Board

KOCHI: The Central Pollution Control Board has submitted a study report to the National Green Tribunal, Kochi circuit bench, confirming the high level of pollution caused by Nitta Gelatin company at Kathikudam. The CPCB submitted the report on November 11 to the NGT stating that the company is discharging untreated polluted water to Chalakudy river. The CPCB has also pointed out serious lapses by the state PCB and submitted 20 recommendations for pollution mitigation and to improve the functioning of the company.

The representatives of the people’s action council told reporters here on Monday that they had demanded the closure of the industrial unit in view of the serious findings by the CPCB. The company has been asked to test the amount of mercury used for hydrochloric acid production in an NABL-accredited laboratory by a third party. The treated water should be discharged above the point from where water is being taken from the river. Separate meters should be installed at the inlet and outlet points of the effluent treatment plant to know the exact amount of water being used and discharged.

The CPCB has also asked the company to take immediate measures to minimise the quantity of polluted water being discharged. The other recommendations include setting up an ambient air quality monitoring system on a daily basis, operating bio filters round the clock to reduce the foul stench and setting up a separate plant to treat polluted water being generated from other sources in the industrial unit. The state PCB has been instructed to take a series of measures to improve the company’s operations. Action council members V.K Mohanan, Daisy Francis, Sherly Paul and Jayam Pankajakshan attended the press conference.