Unit says damaged filter replaced after receiving complaint
Residents of Periyar Nagar in Ward 69 of Coimbatore Corporation have alleged that over the past three days cotton waste dust from a micro dust chimney of Pankaja Mills of the National Textile Corporation is causing hardship to them.
V. Shanti (42), living adjacent to the compound wall of the spinning mill for the last 40 years, said the cotton dust was posing a health hazard to children and senior citizens.
Breathing problem
The dust that came out of the chimney settled on the roof top of the houses, trees and creepers and even ropes meant for drying clothes. Ms. Shanti said she had sent her aged mother-in-law to their native village in Erode district on Saturday in order to protect her from wheezing problem.
Though the mill was functioning for 40 years, this was the first time the residents faced this, she said.
N. Durai (55), another resident of Periyar Nagar, said children and the aged suffered respiratory problem over the last three days.
The front yard of a few houses near St. Antony’s Church was polluted with cotton dust, a few other residents said.
When contacted, General Manager of Pankaja Mills B. Ramesh said the problem was brought to his notice only on Saturday night.
Officials detected a damage to a wire mesh that should filter micro waste in the chimney, and it was replaced on Sunday.
A few workers of the mill were sent to the residential area in Periyar Nagar on Monday to clear the cotton waste, he said.

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