battlelines are drawn over the setting up of a polyvinyl chloride (pvc) plant at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. While environmentalists and local residents are pitted against the project promoter, the state authorities are yet to make their stand clear on the issue.

The plant, being set up by Chennai-based Chemplast Sanmar Limited, will produce pvc from vinyl chloride monomer (vcm), which has been found to be carcinogenic by the us Environmental Protection Agency.

The protesters claimed in a public hearing that the construction of the plant would increase pollution in the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (sipcot) area, where the discharge and emission levels are already alarmingly high. A Chemplast official, however, reportedly contended that the vcm would be pumped through a double wall pipeline laid under the seabed to ensure minimum waste generation.

It was also apprehended that since the proposed plant would be dependent on groundwater, it might further pollute and deplete the water table. When contacted, Chemplast official Prabhakar Rao said on behalf of pvc division head S Gopal: "Some questions (related to environmental pollution) about the plant were answered during the public hearing. There is nothing more to add.'

Though the company had reportedly assured the protesters in the hearing that the plant would have pollution control systems, a sewage treatment plant, landfill and a green belt, the local people appeared unconvinced.

The matter is now being scrutinised by the Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board (tnspcb). "After receiving the minutes of the public hearing, we will discuss the issue and give our recommendations,' said Sheela Rani Chunkath, chairperson, tnspcb.