Andhra Pradesh: Industrial Pollution Fuels Public Concern In Godavari Districts
PCB issues 266 notices amid pollution complaints: Reports
KAKINADA: Industrialisation in the East and West Godavari districts is increasingly facing public resistance, with residents alleging that air and water pollution from several industries has affected their health, livelihoods and quality of life.
One of the longest-standing concerns is the paper mill at Rajamahendravaram, where residents have complained of foul odour and air pollution for decades. The mill has also been blamed for discharging effluents into the Godavari River.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who recently visited the city, expressed concern over the pollution and directed officials to take stringent measures within a fixed timeframe to curb emissions.
Residents of Gummalladoddi, Vedurupaka, Achutapuram and Bavajipet villages in Gokavaram mandal have also complained of severe odour from the Assago ethanol plant. They alleged that repeated protests had failed to yield results and claimed the pollution had made daily life difficult.
G. Venkata Ramana, a resident of Achutapuram, said the villages had once enjoyed a clean environment but residents now struggled to eat, sleep and carry out their daily activities because of the persistent stench.
Villagers also opposed the proposed expansion of the ethanol plant during a recent public hearing, alleging that the odour was noticeable even while the hearing was in progress. They said industries had promised employment and pollution-free operations before setting up units but had failed to honour those assurances. Residents also alleged that many local youth employed in the factory received low wages.
Strong opposition was also expressed during a recent public hearing on a proposed ethanol plant at Kanavaram village in Rajanagaram mandal.
Residents of Rowthulapudi mandal complained that quarrying and crusher units were generating heavy dust pollution, while frequent movement of heavy vehicles had damaged village roads and affected public health.
Similar complaints have emerged from Kakinada Rural and neighbouring U. Kothapalli mandals, where edible oil industries and fertiliser factories are alleged to be causing dust pollution. Residents said a fine layer of dust regularly settles on houses, clothes and utensils, posing health risks.
Kakinada district pollution control board executive engineer I. Surya Kala told Deccan Chronicle that the board had issued 266 notices to industries, including shrimp processing units, quarries, mines, rice mills and other establishments, between January and mid-July for pollution-related violations.
She said the ethanol plant had been directed to install biofilters to reduce odour. Surya Kala added that vehicular emissions contributed more to air pollution than industrial emissions, while sewage discharge and other factors were also responsible for pollution in the Godavari River.
She appealed to the public to report pollution incidents to the Pollution Control Board so that officials could inspect the sites and take appropriate action.
