Production Problems at Himadri Plant Cause Local Unrest

Earlier this week, Himadri Chemicals’ Haripal plant in Hooghly District, India experienced a problem with a burner that led to unplanned emissions of soot into the plant’s surrounding area. The problem seemed to be in the coal tar distillation unit and not the carbon black unit. The emissions caused the local population to surround and temporarily shut down the plant, causing some Rs 50 lakh of damage to plant offices. The crowd’s reaction seemed to be greatly amplified by anger over the Bhopal verdict, which had come out the day before. On Wednesday, June 9, members of a seven member team from the state Pollution Control Board began a probe into the incident.

“The preliminary report indicates limited emission of carbon which does not seem very serious. However, we have ordered a detailed inquiry,” said M.L. Meena, the state environment secretary.

Stories on the incident are here: Probe smells cheaper oil, firm disagrees – the Telegraph Soot from Tar Factory Blackens Singur – Indian Express Chemical plant admits ‘black ash’ emission – the Telegraph Bhopal panic seeps into Singur – I Love Kolkata