Residents point out frequent ammonia leaks at the private Nellai complex and demand action

TIRUNELVELI: Farm workers and residents of Anainthanadarpatti demanded action against Malanadu Ammonia Private Limited alleging that ammonia gas often leaks while refilling the tank. Farm workers and staff at a nearby private school reported a large gas leak on Saturday.

Speaking to TNIE, V Pandi, a farmer from Anainthanadarpatti said, “The workers on my farm and I myself experienced eye irritation, throat congestion and vomiting while working on Saturday morning. My farm is about 500 meters from the plant and the leak was strong. When I rushed to report the leak, a truck driver at the plant informed me that the gas had overflowed while personnel were filling the tank.”

A private secondary school located 100 meters from the power plant was frequently affected by the leaks.

Residents of Anainthanadarpatti also said they were affected by the gas leak. TNIE had reported an ammonia leak from this plant in March, which was brought to the notice of Cheranmahadevi sub-collector Arpit Jain.

On Saturday, Idaikal Panchayat Vice-President S. Dharmaraj briefed TNIE reporter District Collector Dr. KP Karthikeyan alerted and dispatched officers to investigate.

Joseph Arokia, the manager of Malanadu Ammonia Private Limited, confirmed the incident. “The liquid ammonia transported by SPIC overflowed and leaked while being loaded into the tank. Normally the leak spreads within our premises, but the wind could have carried it to the nearby farm.”

Deputy Director Industrial Safety Ganesan and Ambasamudram Tahsildar Sabari Mallika refuted the claims. “I examined the entire system and found no leak,” he said.

TNPCB officials also visited the plant on Saturday. Collector Karthikeyan said the officials had inspected the company and would submit a detailed report on Monday. “Further action will be taken based on the report,” he said.