Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 17: Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt, who undertook a visit to the areas affected by pollutants released by Udupi Power Corporation Ltd’s (UPCL) thermal plant near Padubidri in the district on Wednesday March 16, said that he was not satisfied by the discussions he had with the UPCL officials.

After visiting fly ash pond in Santoor and Padebettu village, which are the most affected areas, he refused to budge from his earlier decision to undertake fast till the problems created by UPCL are addressed. During his visit, he lent an ear to those who supported the plant, and others, who were against it, apart from visiting a few houses to personally verify the claims.

In the bargain, the confidence of the company officials to convince the Swamiji about the measures undertaken by them to mitigate the problems and control pollution, and to plead with him not to go ahead with once-a-day-food regimen announced by him, was ruptured.  During the Swamiji’s visit, company officials, D K Jain, Kishore Alva and Ravindran, tried to impress him that the fly ash is being dumped into the pond in a scientific manner and that it has not been creating any problems for the local people.

Several of the affected people let out their anger at the company officials, by saying that the latter are making false claims. They showed photographs of fly ash being deposited in the pond through tippers instead of pipes. Many complained that the saline water used for dampening fly ash was getting percolated down to the water table, converting wells and fields in the region saline. The Swamiji also questioned several school students about the phenomenon and got answers from them.

The Swamiji later asked the company to address all the problems faced by the people, and to close down power generation till this is done. While comparing his fast to a kind of penance, he said this measure was aimed at creating awareness among the people and force the government to open its eyes to the predicaments of the people. While announcing that he is against taking to streets to fight against UPCL, he pledged his support to anyone who wants to take non-violent measures of protest.

A person named Harish Jois, son of Krishnamurty Jois from Saje said that because of the fact his well water had turned salty, he is forced to go to Padubidri to bring ten litres of water for bath and offering puja on a daily basis. He complained that the company officials had created problems for his family members from passing through its property, and that they had allowed them to proceed only after police interference.