Industrial emissions pose threat to public health

Srikakulam: Pollutants releasing from various industrial units in Etcherla Assembly segment in the district are posing threat to public health. Many industrial units including pharmaceutical, chemical, pesticide and other manufacturing units are situated at Pydibhimavaram in Ranastalam mandal, Budumuru in Laver mandal and at Chilakapalem in Etcherla mandal in the district.

AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) acquired 410 acres of land in Ranastalam to promote the industries. Of the total land, 273 acres have been allotted to various chemical and pharmaceutical units. Aurobindo, Reddy's, Andhra Organics, LanTech, Saraka, NACL and other units are located along the NH-16 for 40 km length.

Etcherla Assembly segment is located between sea shore and NH-16. Managements of various industries are releasing their effluents without treating them. A pipeline was constructed on the banks of a rivulet Kandivalasagedda to discharge industrial effluents into Bay of Bengal directly. But no management is treating its effluents before releasing them into the pipeline.

Due to leakages in pipeline, the pollutants affecting the soil and water. Both ground water sources, surface water resources and air is being polluted at Pydibhimavaram, Naruva, Sancham, Lova, Boyapalem, Akkayyapalem, Mentada, Budumuru, Devunipalavalasa, Chilakapalem, A.A.Valasa, Bantupalli and other villages across the segment.

Industrial managements are influencing local village level people's representatives and community elders to get their support. Simultaneously they are also managing pollution control board (PCB) officials also. As a result, the PCB officials are unable to conduct frequent verifications at industrial units. Due to pollution of air, water and soil, the residents of Pydibhimavaram, Naruva, Sancham, Lova, Boyapalem, Akkayyapalem, Mentada, Budumuru, Devunipalavalasa, Chilakapalem, A A Valasa, Bantupalli and other villages across the segment are suffering from severe diseases like cancer, kidney problems, skin disorders and eye related ailments.

K Venkata Raju, N Appanna, K Yellamma, K Nukamma, K Suramma of Sancham, Naruva, Lova villages died of cancer and kidney ailments due to pollution. "We have made complaints on pollution several times to officials concerned but no action is initiated," said D Parasuram, T Ramu, N Laxmi, K Suri, K Durgamma, I Prasada Rao and others of Sancham, Naruva, Pydibhimavaram villages to the The Hans India.