Mangaluru: The Bajpe Nagarikara Hitharakshana Vedike has urged the state govt and district administration to expedite the long-pending land acquisition process for 105 families residing in Shanthigudde Colony in Bajpe village, citing industrial pollution and safety concerns.Addressing a press meet on Friday, Sirajuddin Bajpe, convener of the Bajpe Nagarikara Hitharakshana Vedike, said the families living on four acres under Survey No. 138/1 had been exposed to industrial pollution and environmental hazards for nearly two decades.“For the last 20 years, the residents of the 105 houses in Shanthigudde Colony have been living in constant fear due to severe industrial pollution and its adverse health impacts. Despite continuous appeals to the govt and the issuance of preliminary acquisition notices by the KIADB under Sections 28/2 and 28/3 way back in 2007, the land acquisition process remains incomplete, leaving the residents in deep distress,” he said.The forum raised concerns over fly ash and toxic emissions from the coke and sulphur units of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). It said revised memorandums had been submitted to the deputy commissioner, MP, MLA, MRPL, MSEZ, KIADB, the environment department and the local town panchayat.Sirajuddin Bajpe also alleged that repeated loud, blast like noises from the industrial plant had damaged houses in the colony.“Blast like loud noises from the MRPL plant have caused cracks in the walls of our houses, a fact well known to the concerned departments. Following the recent major blast that claimed two lives and injured several others, the entire village is yet to recover from the shock, forcing people in this area to live with their lives in their hands,” he said.With authorities initiating the acquisition of 27 acres for a green belt, the forum demanded that the four-acre residential pocket be included in the process. It urged officials to visit the locality, conduct a comprehensive survey and ensure permanent relief for the 105 families.
