Sir,

Of late, there has been a strong pungent smell of chemicals coming from the drain (Raja Kaluve) which runs through Metagalli industrial area and bisects KRS road at the junction where one takes a right turn to RBI just before Falcon Tyres, early in the morning and late evening for the past few months.

The smell is spread across a wide area of the stretch from GSSS Engineering College on KRS road all the way until GRS Fantasy Park.

Since such a strong smell is a trademark of industrial chemicals, the suspicion falls on the numerous industries along the stretch who may be discharging the untreated chemicals to the drain.

Discharging such chemicals is against the norms of pollution control laws of our country. Such chemicals may contain heavy carcinogenic metals which could cause cancer and other diseases apart from causing breathing problems to the elderly and children.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which is located very close to KRS road signal on the Outer Ring Road, must also be facing this problem. I urge the Pollution Control Board, elected  people’s representatives and civic authorities to fix the problem.

—Kasi Ganeshan, Metagalli, 18.4.2024

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to [email protected]