Hyderabad: Officials act blind to illegal units in residential areas

Rajendranagar: Despite having fingers burnt in the Shastripuram polluting industries case in the High Court, the GHMC Rajendranagar remain impassive towards dealing with such industries that are still operating in residential areas in and around Mailardevpally.

People living here especially in Katedan are bearing the brunt of heavy pollution caused by innumerable industries who are void-ab-initio illegal. People, especially children and senior citizens,have become primary victims of these polluting industries and the impassive attitude of the GHMC officials who have turned a Nelson's eye towards the environmental damage caused due to the existence of this unscrupulous industries despite numerous complaints.

"The main culprits are plastic and PVC granule making units, which rank among the worst air pollutants. They not only emanate nauseating smell and smoke that is sickening but also do so at every odd hour, including nights," said Mallishwari (all names changed to protect their identity), a teacher who has been staying in the vicinity for two decades now. "These industries are also contaminating ground water by releasing chemicals," she rued.

Ironically, there are several function halls in the area and the guests, attending functions get a terrible feeling while attending the ceremonies and events. But, for the locals, its' a routine nuisance they are smarting under silence for years. Tyres, tubes and rubber products are burnt almost every night and this is creating breathing problems to the people staying in the surroundings that stretch up to 8 to 10 kilometres. There are units that are being run in temporary sheds.

"We have made numerous representations to the civic authorities seeking that they shift all the plastic units and other equally polluting units to the city outskirts or places earmarked for industries. After all, this is a residential area and setting up industries is against established norms. It is sad that the authorities have never bothered to provide relief of any sort. All our efforts to have the elected representatives get a first-hand experience have been futile exercises. Our petitions have fallen on deaf ears," lamented Dilip Kumar, a software engineer staying there for years together.