Residents of Kurumbapalayam near Madukkarai on Monday petitioned the Coimbatore Collector seeking action to curb alleged cement dust pollution from a factory in the area.
The residents alleged that cement dust was settling on houses, agricultural fields and food items, affecting their daily lives and farming activities. They said crops were getting covered with dust, affecting both cultivation and the sale of farm produce.
Some residents claimed that frequent exposure to the dust was causing them respiratory and stomach-related ailments and alleged that some people in the locality had developed serious illnesses, including cancer. They also claimed that livestock in the area were experiencing various health problems. The residents sought effective pollution-control measures and an inspection of the factory to address their concerns.
More than 200 residents had held a black-flag protest near the Gandhi Nagar bus stop in Madukkarai on Saturday, carrying agricultural produce to highlight the alleged impact of the pollution.
The petitioners urged the authorities to inspect the factory and take measures to address their grievances.
