The problem

The Coca-Cola bottling plant at Plachimada is located along the Palakkad-Meenakshipuram-Pollchi road, around three kilometers to the north of the Meenkara dam reservoir and a few hundred meters west of the Kambalathara and Vengalakkayam storage reservoirs.

The bottling plant started production in 1998 on a 42- acre plot in violation of the Kerala Land Utilisation Act, 1967, intended to prevent the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Limited (HCBL) has faced a host of complaints and agitation from local people over water and soil pollution. The issue has been raised in the media with a focus on depletion of water and its contamination. Test results of the well water and the sludge have proved the presence of contamination.

Health Impact

Cadmium is a carcinogen and can accumulate in the kidneys with repeated exposure, possibly causing kidney failure.

Ingestion of lead can cause chronic lead poisoning, anemia in children, abdominal pain, lead encephalopathy and paralysis.

Diseases with high relative risks in the adjacent villages are hair-loss, burning of eyes, cough, vomiting, pain in limbs etc. Hair loss is 13 times higher and burning in the eye 7 times higher in the adjacent village.

Current Activity

The local Coca Cola distributor has taken these issues very seriously, and has initiated a detailed program to stop further contamination and depletion of the water supply. This work is being overseen by Coca Cola's head offices. There is no expectation of future problems here.