Bhatkal: A lead manufacturing unit has been set up by the name ‘VK’ at Sarpankatte industrial area in Yalvadikur in the taluk.

The locals of the area have submitted a memorandum to Yalvadikur panchayat mentioning the various harmful effects of the unit on the people and have requested for the transfer of the unit.

The life of the locals of the particular area has been affected badly due to the lead manufacturing unit. The smoke emitted and odour of melted lead from the unit have made it difficult for the locals to survive. And in addition to this, the water is also being contaminated due to the unit.

The locals are asking about how did the unit get permission from the panchayat. The roads and gutters are filled with the plastics and other waste materials from the plant. They have requested the panchayat to either cancel the permission given to the unit or transfer it elsewhere.

The locals have requested that the respective officials must come for the inspection of the unit.

Shivaram Naik, Mani Naik, Era Naik, Maruti Naik, Nagappa Naik, Ramchandra Naik, Gowdappa Naik, Nagraj Kodiya, Mahesh Naik and others were present while submitting the memorandum.