Pollution Control Board unable to close small units which recycle plastic in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: As per official records, more than 200 industrial units in Kattedan are in the business of washing and recycling used plastic carry bags of the prohibited thickness. However, the Pollution Control Board seems to have turned a blind eye to this.

As per the 2013 PCB records, there are 232 units in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district. Environmental expert S. Jeevananda Reddy said, “Several such industries have still not been shifted by the department from the catchment areas of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.”

PCB director Sanjay Kumar, said, “Many units in Rajendranagar and Ranga Reddy were sealed. The team conducts regular checks. Small industries are a problem as they shift very often.”

Apart from plastic units there are also sectors that produce other chemical, batteries, and oils polluting the ground water and their toxic waste is also led into the sewerage lines.

The PCB is also blind to this and does not act on plastic industrial units involved in washing and production of carry bags of less than 40 microns that too coloured ones, added Chakri Dev, environmentalist.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, PCB director Sanjay Kumar said, “Many unauthorised sectors in Rajendernagar and Ranga Reddy have been raided and sealed.

Even registered companies are issued notices if found violating. The PCB team along with the local police conducts regular checks in these areas.

Small scales industries are a major problem and they shift very often. A lot of them have come up in Balanagar, Chintal, Jeedimetla and other city outskirts.