CHENNAI: In a major development, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has permitted Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) to commence soil remediation on a trial basis at the Kodaikanal factory, which is allegedly contaminated with high mercury levels.
In a release, HUL claimed that TNPCB had asked the company to undertake trial for three months in accordance with its Detailed Project Report (DPR) and to treat the soil to the maximum extent to reduce the mercury level, not restricting itself to a level of 20 mg/kg.
The trial will be monitored by Scientific Experts Committee (SEC), constituted by Supreme Court Monitoring Committee, TNPCB and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Later, TNPCB will review the results of the trial as per data submitted by the HUL. On getting the results, the SEC will decide on fixing of Site Specific Target Level and relevant monitoring process.
Dev Bajpai, Executive Director- Legal and Company Secretary, HUL, said, “We welcome TNPCB’s permission for commencing soil remediation on a trial basis as a step forward. The HUL has been unwavering in its commitment to cleaning up the contaminated site in its former factory premises in a manner that is fully protective of the environment and human health.”
The TNPCB had earlier asked HUL to prepare a DPR subsequent to a rigorous assessment process by TNPCB with SEC, and also after consultation with the CPCB.
Reacting to the development, environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman said the Local Area Monitoring Committee of Kodaikanal was not aware of such a decision being taken. “For the last three months, the committee has been asking for a meeting to be conducted and suddenly this news cropped-up. No surprise, TNPCB has again chosen to keep the public out of consultations,” he said.