BJP MLA from Varachha Kumar Kanani has demanded for the closure of some of the highly polluting textile dyeing and printing mills, located in residential societies on Ashwani Kumar Road in Surat. He has gone as far as threatening to launch an agitation against the mills if they were not shut down.
“There are over 20 textile mills, located in the residential societies on Ashwani Kumar Road. Some of these mills use polluting materials, including sugarcane waste, tyres, rubber and plastic scrap as fuel to manufacture polyester fabrics,” Kanani told a national daily here on Saturday.
Kanani, in a letter to Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mangubhai Patel, has demanded for strict action against the owners of the dyeing and printing mills for violating pollution norms and risking the health of the over three lakh people who are likely to be affected in his constituency.
“I have received so many complaints from the residents in the past two years. Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) officials have been alerted about these polluting mills. When the GPCB officials visit the mills, the mill owners organize things as per the norms. Once they leave, the mills start using hazardous materials again as fuel,” he added.
Highlighting the grim issue that may turn fatal, he said, “Pandesara, Sachin and Palsana mills should not be allowed to operate in a residential zone as it is a question of health of lakhs of people. If no action is taken, then I will be forced to launch an agitation against the mill owners.”