Hyderabad: Residents of gated communities in Nacharam, Nallagandla and Patancheru are concerned about the increasing industrial pollution in their areas. They recount how these industries create noise and air pollution in the area. A thick black smog blankets these neighbourhoods, forcing many residents to stay indoors.
“We were promised that these industries would be removed when we wanted to buy this property. Nothing has been done. Our sleep is constantly disturbed as a pungent smell creeps into the bedrooms in the early hours of the morning. Frequent upper respiratory tract infections that require visits to pulmonologists and medication have become common in every household here,” said Adabala Seshagiri Rao, a retired bank employee from Raheja Vistas in Nacharam.
On several occasions, residents woke up in the middle of the night choking and had to be hospitalised for recovery. Jyotish Ranjan, a marketing professional and another resident of the community, said, “The situation is particularly alarming for the elderly, many of whom have bought retirement homes in our community, as well as pregnant women and hundreds of children. There are also many schools in the vicinity, making the situation dangerous for community members and everyone in the area”.
The situation is no different on the other side of the city. Recently, residents of the gated communities of My Home Avatar and Hallmark Vicinia staged a protest against the ready-mix concrete (RMC) plant operated by Vasavi Atlantis’ RDC company.
“For several years, and especially in recent months, the RMC plant has been causing severe air and noise pollution, resulting in numerous health problems for approximately 12,000 residents. Though we have repeatedly brought this matter to the notice of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials, police, municipal authorities and local leaders, no action has been taken so far,” added Goutham Reddy, a techie and resident of Hallmark Vicinia.
“Whenever we receive these complaints, we make it a point to visit these sites. However, the concern around shifting these industries is between the court and the industry,” said an official from Telangana State Pollution Control Board.
