There is new trouble brewing for Coca Cola in Tamil Nadu. A bottling plant planned in Gangaikondan SIPCOT Industrial Estate is to withdraw about 5 lakh liters of water from the Thamirabarani River, is drawing opposition from political leaders, community members and activists.

Withdrawal of water from the Thamirabarani River will affect Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts and would be highly harmful to farming activities in this area. Already reeling under water crisis, clearly setting up such water intensive plants is indication of the thoughtlessness of the administration.

In early May, a group led by Joint Action Committee for Conservation of Thamirabarani and Groundwater (JACCTG) decided to increase awareness of the impact of such a company on communities in the area. Tamil Nadu Science Forum is planning to hold a series of workshops on water in various parts of the affected districts.

Local activists also argue that the plant has been set up without an Environment Assessment Report and that there is no documentation of the exact amount of water that the plant will withdraw. The group believes that instead of using this water for Coke, this water could help rejuvenate farms in villages downstream.

The plant is owned by South India Bottling Company Private Limited though local activists argue that the plant will primarily be used to bottle Coke products. The Hindu reports that “JACCTG has urged the State Government to cancel the licence given to South India Bottling Company Private Limited at SIPCOT Industrial Complex at Gangaikondan near here to produce a range of beverages of a multi-national soft drink major.”

Representatives of various organisations including Communist Party of India (N.M. Krishnan), People's Watch (Ganesan), Manitha Urimai Kalam (M. Bharathan), Tamil Nadu Science Forum (Ponniah), Revolutionary Students' Movement (Prakash), Women Joint Action Group (Subbuthaai) participated in the meeting.

The meeting has decided to launch public protests against the setting up of this unit as well as demand revocation of the license from the local administration. With this in mind, a massive rally was organized in Gangaikonda on August 9th. Groups from other struggles against Coca Cola plants in India – Plachimada and Sivaganga – were also invited.

Local activists believe that increased pressure can thwart the opening of the plant in this area and that along with increased awareness is the basis for their strategy.

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