Mangaluru: The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has finally conceded to the public demand to create a green belt at Jokatte.

Agreeing to the long-pending demands of the residents who have raised health concerns regarding the ill-effects of the company’s third phase coke and sulphur units, MRPL has agreed to rehabilitate people of Jokatte and transform 27 acres of Jokatte into green belt.

The government had asked MRPL over a year ago to create green belt as part of the conditions. Considering the popular demand for creating this green belt in Jokatte area, the company was asked to relocate the people of Jokatte, who are currently suffering from the waste produce of the company.

District in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai presided over the meeting held at the deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday January 26 that saw the managing director of the company, H Kumar agreeing to the proposal after providing a compensation package as per rules to the displaced citizens and also gave its consent to the report and map prepared by the technical committee which comprised of locals too as members.

President of Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti, Hussain, Muneer Katipalla and others, in their addresses, said that it will benefit the people only if the greenbelt is created at Jokatte. MRPL managing director, H Kumar, said that the current 27 acres would be part of 33 percent area of the company which has to be covered by green belt. He noted that currently, there is permission for 27 acres, and if additional land has to be converted, government order would have to be issued afresh.

Deputy commissioner K G Jagadeesh, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, additional deputy commissioner Kumar and others were present.