Hyderabad: Industries dumping toxic chemical waste into sewer lines is a major problem in Quthbullapur. Residents have had to move homes often and have even taken to the streets in protest due to the stench emanating from the factories here.
Since waste is being released into the drain which is connected to every house, those living within a 10-km radius are suffering.
After last month’s deluge, this newspaper on September 22 had reported about a “chemical nala” overflowing in Jeedimetla, Quthbullapur and mixing with tank water. Locals had alleged that dark, chemical laced water had mixed with rainwater and entered their homes.
Water from the Vennalagadda tank had mixed with a chemical drain and overflowed. Mr Venkatesh Nandha of Vijaynagar Colony said, “Air pollution is affecting residents. The underground water is totally polluted due to industrial effluents and is unfit for drinking. The water can’t be used unless water treatment plants are installed.”
Not just Quthbullapur division but those living in Kompally, Fatehnagar and Bala-nagar have also been complaining of brea-thlessness. In some areas including Bachupally, Malampet and Jeedimetla, residents cannot step out of their houses.
Mr K.P. Viveka-nanda, TRS MLA of Quthbullapur, said, “The entire constituency is located in and around major pharmaceutical and engineering industries.
“Areas that face high pollution are the whole of Subhashna-gar and parts of Jeedi-metla and Quthbulla-pur. Colonies that are badly affected are Sai Baba Nagar, Subhashnagar, Ram Reddy Nagar, Quth-bullapur, Bhagyala-kshmi Colony, Jairamnagar, Ayodhyanagar etc. Despite a directive from the Union environment ministry, the Pollution Control Board has not taken any action against the polluters.”
A factory was given permission under the Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self Certification System (TS-iPASS).
A Pollution Control Board officer said: “Whenever a company seeks permission under TS–iPASS, the Pollution Board has to complete all formalities, like environmental clearances and checks, within 14 days to approve of the permission. But the 14-day period under the system is insufficient to check all environmental aspects. Also, the Board can only give directives, which cannot be enforced.”
Several protests were held by residents’ welfare associations of Bachupally, Nizampet, Miyapur and Gandhi Nagar against pharma companies for polluting the environment. They too are upset with the TSPCB for not taking appropriate action.
Important industries located in the region are those of machine tools, pharmaceuticals, electrics, textiles and chemicals. Hetero Drugs Ltd has two formulation and two API manufacturing facilities here.
