Complaints against illegally operating chemical factories in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The GHMC, following numerous complaints against illegally operating chemical factories, began cracking down on them on Wednesday.

The GHMC on Wednesday identified a few such units especially in Jeedimetla, Sanatnagar, Balanagar, Katedan and Cherlapalli, and will demolish them.

In 2016, in a joint operation by the drug controller unit and narcotics officials, the GHMC seized a large number of banned drugs from an illegal go down from Jeedimetla.

In a raid, the team found 40 barrels of benzene chloride, para benzene hydroxide, meth-anol, solvents and other chemicals. The illegal units also include nail polish remover manufacturing companies.

“These godowns have not been registered, neither do they have any licence. They do not display boards, which is mandatory. Earlier the Telangana State Pollution Control Board had issued closure orders against a company manufacturing chemicals. There have been complaints of these units constantly violating the pollution control norms and dumping the toxic chemical residues in small pits and open places surrounding the facility,” said a GHMC official.

Residents have been complaining of the strong chemical odour from these illegally manufacturing units. Residents of Miyapur, Bachupalli and Nizam-pet have been repeatedly approached the GHMC and Pollution Control Board to seize these units.

There are more than 200 pharmaceutical units among others in these areas. It is suspected that they could be emitting mercaptan, sulphur, ammonia and other chemicals.

Residents said that cases of bronchitis and breathing problems were on the rise. “These units have been dumping chemicals in nalas and drains. We are it will seep into the soil and mixing with the groundwater,” Mr Anil Reddy of Subhash Colony.