Kakinada locals worried over pollution from edible oil refineries

A number of edible oil refineries have been established in the vicinity of Kakinada port during the past decade, generating employment in the port town and stimulating economic growth, but there are complaints from the public that the managements of the private refineries are not taking steps to mitigate or minimise pollution. As a result, life has become very difficult for those residing in the nearby areas such as Vakalapudi, Sambamurthy Nagar, and Nemam.

As many as 13 edible oil refineries have been set up in the port town during the past decade. The population of the port town has crossed half a million and it is roughly estimated that a lakh people, mostly fishermen, are residing in the villages and colonies in the vicinity of the refineries. Public in these areas complain that the refineries are using rice husk, country wood, and saw-dust as fuel, in violation of regulations, and as a result the chimneys of the units are spewing toxic emissions. The public are facing respiratory problems in the villages, and their eye sight is also affected due to saw-dust and other pollutants. The groundwater in the villages is contaminated and water-borne diseases are rampant.

Fishermen in the area and their representatives allege that the edible oil refineries are discharging the effluents into the sea, untreated, adversely affecting the fisheries resources. The refineries have not developed green belt as stipulated, and they are making no attempts to adopt the latest technologies, minimising pollution.

The AP Pollution Control Board authorities have not acted against the refineries, in spite of repeated complaints from the public in the area, it is said. “These refineries are playing havoc with public health in the area and it is high time the Government acted against them. The APPCB cannot remain a mute spectator, when environmental degradation is taking place on such a large scale and stern steps should be taken against the edible oil unit not complying with the norms,” said Mr Y. Ramakrishnudu, former finance minister and Telugu Desam leader.

It is suggested that each refinery should be forced to set up an effluent treatment plant or at least a common ETP should be set up and immediate steps should be taken to check the noxious emissions from the chimneys.

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