The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has rejected the claim of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. [(BPCL)-Kochi Refinery] In Ambalamugal that the noise level measurement by the Board in residential areas adjacent to the unit was incorrect, as the presence of other industrial units may create noise interference.
The PCB’s reply was filed before the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in response to the arguments raised by the company in the hearing held on November 1 last year.
NGT’s directive
A board study found that the noise levels in the residential areas near the unit were found to be more than the permissible limits during night hours.
The agency had carried out noise monitoring in 10 residential areas on the directions of the NGT after residents complained of high noise pollution.
The report filed by the board stated that other industrial units were located at far-flung places. Actually the area where the noise measurement was done is around BPCL and its expansion projects.
Other possible sound sources are Hindustan Organic Chemicals (HOC), BPCL’s LPG bottling plant; Prodair Air Products and Facts.
The FACT is located 1.65 to 4 km away from the complainant’s location, while the HOC is not functioning as of now. It is also observed that LPG Bottling Plant of BPCL is not in operation after 10 PM. Therefore, it was decided that HOC, FACT and LPG Bottling Plant should not be considered as contributors to noise, and expansion projects. Nearby location selected for noise monitoring, the report said.
According to the PCB, a technical problem with noise monitoring is the lack of clarity regarding the source of the noise at the receptor end.
A correct base level can be estimated at selected locations only when the industrial unit is non-operational. This is practically not possible for a large industry of this magnitude.
The area outside the campus is not classified, and hence, there is a lack of clarity in the classification of the area.