Industrialists in the Khajipally and Gaddapotharam industrial clusters in Medak district have been asked by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board member-secretary Sanjay Kumar to dismantle all below ground level effluent storage tanks to prevent contaminated seepages into the drains.
Recently, INN carried a story on greater Hyderabad and suburb industrial sewage alarming situation 'POISONED LIVES: HYDERABAD'S STILLBORN FUTURE' and quoted the examples in the areas. As an impact of this story, Andhra Pradesh pollution control board (APPCB) warned all the industries in the mentioned areas and issued notices to check the pollution levels of effluent tanks.
At an interactive programme held with Model Industrial Association of Khajipally and Gaddapotharam industrial clusters, where several bulk drug and chemical industries are located, Sanjay asked them to take all necessary measures to prevent pollution of Jillella Vagu leading to Kjazipally tank, lift the contaminated water stagnated at three places in the IDA and from the sump to Common Effluent Treatment Plant within 10 days.
It was made clear that lifting of contaminated water collected in the sump downstream of IDA shall be continuous to prevent entry of polluted water into the Khajipally tank.
Industries were warned that if they failed to implement these directions, the board would be constrained to take stringent action, including issuance of closure orders, against the polluting industries. The board also decided to insist on bank guarantees from industries to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and also not to allow below ground level effluent storage tanks in industries and also not to allow soak pits.
APPCB task force officials were directed to inspect each and every industry in the cluster and report on the pollution problems at the earliest. All those responsible for pollution will be brought before the task force committee for a thorough review and necessary penal action will be taken.
The meeting was held in the wake of reports that indirect discharges or seepages from industrial clusters are polluting the Khazipally tank through Jillela Vagu. Many storm drains are criss-crossing the industrial areas, which is aggravating the problem.
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