Magistrate Initiates Investigation on Coke Pollution

The Dstrict Magistrate of Varanasi, Bina Kumari Mina, has initiated an investigation into the role of the Coke Bottling Plant in Mehdiganj on the drop in local water levels and high incidence of toxic chemicals around the plant site.

Water Table Collapse, Coke Continues to Pump

Responding to a request under RTI, the GoI Hydrology department has shown that water levels in 9 out of 13 stations in Varanasi district have fallen below drought conditions; yet, the Coca Cola plant continues to pump water out of the ground.

Another Coke Plant, More Pollution Dumping

In a shocking finding, another Coca-Cola bottling plant in India has been found to be operating in complete violation of environmental laws and regulations in India. Communities around this plant have begun protests at this discovery.

Coke is Polluting Neighborhoods

A study of water samples in the vicinity of the Coke plant in Mehndiganj conducted by People’s Science Institute, Dehradoon, and Hazard Center, Delhi, finds Coke responsible dangerous levels of toxic metals of Cadmium and Chromium in the groundwater.

Court Drops Charges Against Coke Protesters

A fast track court of Judge Brijmohan Gupta has dropped all charges filed against Nandlal, Shivlal, Rajesh Gupta and Laxman Rathore – members of Lok Samiti and residents of Mehndiganj – that were filed by the government and Coke after the mass rally outside the Mehndiganj plant in 2004.

More Instances of Colas Dumping Pollutants

The march for Rights to Water has discovered more examples of effluent dumping by the Colas in Hathras and in Mathura.

Pollution Board to Investigate Coke in Varanasi

As the Right to Water March goes through its third week, there has been huge support in the heartland of Northern India. The march has already passed through 7 communities in the neighborhood of bottling plants and these communities - schools and colleges, village sabhas, small town meetings - have expressed solidarity through signature campaigns and return invitations to the marchers. Under pressure from these communities, CPCB has agreed to investigate pollution dumping by Coke at its Mehdiganj plant.

North Indian Communities Join March Against Coke, Pepsi

Jal Adhikar Yatra (March for Right to Water) began in Mehdiganj, Varanasi, on September 10, 2006, and shall conclude in Delhi on October 5, 2006. This is led by people directly ill-effected by Coca Cola Plant in Mehdiganj who are demanding access to water and protection from indiscriminate siphoning of water by large companies.

On the Right to Water Campaign

In an interview with Nandlal on the first day of the Jal Adhikar (Right to Water) Yatra, we learn about the goals of the yatra, the importance to right to water and evidence of Coke's role in the rapidly dropping water levels in Mehdiganj.

Jal Adhikar Yatra Takes Off

The Jal Adhikar (Right to Water) Yatra that makes its way through communities in UP, MP and Rajasthan that are demanding respite from privatization of water, its indiscriminate overuse by for profit agencies and falling of water tables.

Coke Responsible for Water Depletion

A study of the water tables in the communities around the Coke bottling plant shows that activities in the plant have severely affected water availablitiy in the region.

Water Levels Around Coke Plant Drop 30 feet

In a preliminary survey conducted by Swadesh Science Movement of India(Delhi) with in the Mehndiganj area where the Coca-Cola plant is based, the water level in the villages of Nagepur, Bhikaripur and Mehndiganj villages have decreased to 27, 43 and 32 feet respectively.

Thousands in Mehendiganj Protest Coke

Hunger Strike in Mehendiganj Ends

Central Pollution Control Board orders state board to investigate Coke; National awareness drive of unethical Coke policies to begin.

CPCB Report, Hunger Strike Corners Coke

As Nandlal Master and Mukesh Kumar continue their second day of fast in Mehdiganj, people continue to show their solidarity by coming to the dharna site.