NALGONDA: Demanding immediate relocation of a waste treatment unit allegedly causing severe pollution, residents of Aregudem and neighbouring villages of Peddakaparthi and Veliminedu staged a demonstration outside the Chityala MPDO office on Monday and submitted a memorandum to officials.
The villagers alleged that DNS Green Enviros was established as a chemical waste treatment plant four years ago and is causing severe air and groundwater pollution in the area. According to local youth A Nagaraju, tankers transport hazardous solid and liquid chemical waste from bulk drug companies on the outskirts of Hyderabad to the facility. Instead of properly disposing of the residual waste generated after treatment, the unit allegedly dumps it in open areas, polluting the environment, he said
Residents said chemical fumes released late at night cause throat irritation, watery eyes and breathing difficulties. The pollution has also raised concerns among parents over their children’s education. The facility is located barely 500 metres from a Government Upper Primary School, and parents said they were reluctant to send their children there. As a result, student strength has reportedly fallen from 160 four years ago to just 40 this year. Residents said the pungent chemical odour also makes it difficult for children to eat their midday meals at school.
Nagaraju said Pollution Control Board officials collected water, air and chemical samples a year ago following a complaint submitted to the Nalgonda District Collector. However, the test results had not been disclosed so far, he alleged.
The protesters demanded that authorities take immediate action against the unit.