MUZAFFARNAGAR: Residents of the Titavi village are up in arms against the “blatant violation of norms” by sugar mills in the area. The mills, according to the villagers, are releasing untreated contaminated liquid, causing diseases. On Thursday, a number of villagers protested at the district magistrate’s (DM’s) office demanding immediate redressal of their complaints. "Besides contaminated fluid, chimney ash has also made life hell for us. Children are the worst affected with all sorts of diseases. Many have reported upset stomachs," said Ajay Kumar, a village resident.
Villagers mentioned in their complaint that the firm Indian Potas, which is also known as Titavi Sugarmills, owned a sugar mill in their village that was releasing dirty water containing chemicals. Another villager, Yogendra Singh, told TOI, "The water is coming through a drain, which in turn releases it into the Hindon river. The river then gets polluted. As many as 70 hand pumps in the village have been marked red so that people know that water from these handpumps is not drinkable".
Ankit Kumar, chief officer of the Muzaffarnagar pollution department, said, "Water samples will be taken from the village and will be sent to the lab. The mill chimney would also be tested. If irregularities are found, action against the sugar mill will be taken."
