Mangalore: A team of medical experts in city have prepared and released a factual report on health hazards faced by Elluru and surrounding residents due to atmospheric contamination of fly-ash spread to UPCL, a coal-based thermal power plant producing 500 MW of electricity in Udupi region.
The 5 doctoers K.Mohandas Bhandary, S,Jayaram, M.Annayya, Sanjiva Badiger and Nithin Joseph, realized that no pipeline had been laid out by UPCL to carry the fly-ash from the factory to the Ash Pond, where it would collect. Instead, tankers were used to transport the ash, thus throwing original regulations out of their windows (by UPCL),, charged Dr.Bhandary. In rainy season, the toxic waste carried by flood waters could easily spoil paddy fields in the nearby low-lying areas, he added.
The fly-ash particles, salt on roof top sheets, and the vegetation in houses close by, could corrode tin sheets and electrical cable covers, Bhandary told media persons on Tuesday here.
The Ash Pond was poorly constructed, causing water seepage into surrounding areas.
People would suffer from breathlessness, asthma and skin ailments. They may even have skin/respiratory cancers in due course, he warned.
The team of 5 doctors will submit their preliminary report on UPCL to the PM Singh, Environment minister (Jairam Ramesh), CM Yeddyurappa, Udupi Minister Dr.V.S Acharya and others relevant in the coastal region (like Krishna Palemar).