KSPCB Issues Show-Cause Notice to Mangaluru Food Industry for Pollution

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to a food industry in Baikampady Industrial Area, Mangaluru, for discharging trade effluents into water bodies, violating the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The notice, dated June 24, 2024, demands a response within 15 days, failing which the Board may revoke the industry’s consent under the Water Act, 1974, disconnect its power supply, and seize the facility.

An inspection on June 23 revealed greyish water in the stormwater drain from the industry. Despite an Action Taken Report submitted on April 29, 2024, promising the installation of an RO plant and a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system by the first week of June 2024, these commitments were unmet. Housekeeping around the industry also needs improvement.

Earlier, a complaint by social activist Muneer Katipalla led to a June 19 inspection, where blackish effluent was found in stormwater drains leading to the Phalguni River backwater. The Board directed the industry to stop the effluent discharge, block outlets to the storm drain, ensure runoff does not mix with stormwater, and continuously monitor internal stormwater drains.