The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘PCB has done nothing’

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Friday, Jun 15, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘PCB has done nothing’

M. Sai Gopal

No relief from pollution at Nallacheruvu

Cause for concern: A woman of Kurumanagar showing a brass vessel that has turned black due to the pollution in and around Nallacheruvu.

HYDERABAD: Having to put up with official indifference has become a second nature for residents of colonies near Nallacheruvu at Uppal. They have been approaching various departments for their ‘cause’ since a decade, yet, there is no semblance of relief from water and environment pollution in their neighbourhood. Ineffective regulation of industries in Nacharam and Mallapur by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board has left the residents in the lurch. They complain that barring sending notices to industries and empty threats of closure, the PCB has done nothing ‘noteworthy’ to improve their living conditions.

As dusk falls on Nallacheruvu, residents close their doors and windows to ‘stave off’ the pungent smell of Mercapatan, Hydrogen Sulphide and the marauding mosquitoes. Headaches and nausea are quite common among children and adults alike. Without a mosquito repellent, it is impossible for residents here to sleep.

“Since 1996 we have used every possible avenue to bring our problems to authorities’ notice. Successive Governments have only cold shouldered our problems,” says secretary for Uppal branch of Andhra Pradesh Kuruma Sangham Nomula Maisaiah.

Construction of STP

There is still a ray of hope. Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has taken up construction of Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Nallacheruvu. Construction of STP at Nallacheruvu was announced in 2004-05; however, after several hurdles later, officials inform that work on the STP is on schedule.

The STP is a part of Rs. 339.08 crore ‘Save Musi’ project, which plans to intercept sewage flow from 18 open nalas on either side of the river, diverting them to STPs and then releasing treated water back to the river. The Nallacheruvu STP will have a capacity of 30 Million Litres per Day. “We had to face stiff resistance during land acquisition for STP at Nallacheruvu. That problem has been sorted out now. The STP works will be completed by March, 2008,” said Chief General Manager (Projects) HMWS&SB S.V. Raghava Rao.

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