Effluents of APSEZ units causing ailments

Visakhapatnam: Thousands of people residing in the villages of Atchutapuram and Rambilli mandals have been facing serious health disorders due to the high pollutants being released by several companies located in the Andhra Pradesh Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).

Even though APSEZ was set up a decade ago, there are no Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the APSEZ. In the absence of treatment plants, more than 40 industries mostly pharmaceutical and chemical, are releasing pollutants in the surrounding areas of the SEZ.

With the untreated industrial effluents being released by the industries into the air and water, the people living near the SEZ have been suffering from severe diseases. The children and elderly people are going through several health disorders. The people met the political leaders and officials concerned and urged them to prevent the release of untreated industrial effluents. But, there was no respite to them.

According to the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Central and State Pollution Control Boards, before setting up the industries in a big number, the felicitator much take care of the CETPs and STPs.

Before establishing the APSEZ, the APIIC had informed to the MoEF, Central and State Pollution Control Boards that it would set up 3 CETPs and one STP with capacity of 7 MLD for treating the sewage generated from non-processing area. The APIIC also stated that the 3 CETP and a STP is required in the SEZ.

Meanwhile, as per the clause of 29 under schedule-B of AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB), green belt should be developed all along the boundary of the SEZ to maintain minimum area of green belt of 860 acres by the SEZ. In fact, the green belt development should have started along with the construction activity.

The individual units should maintain the green belt in an area of 1,163 acres in the SEZ and the total area of green belt should be maintained in an extent of 2,023 acres. The Left parties and locals alleging that, the APIIC is not maintaining the norms and leaving the locals on their fate.

Talking about the issue, Rajya Sabha member V. Vijayasai Reddy said that the YSRCP had received several representations about the high-level pollutants being released in the air and water by the industries in the SEZ.

Along with party members including Gudivada Amarnath and others, the MP met Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan and asked his immediate intervention into the issue. Vijayasai Reddy also urged the Minister to set up an inquiry committee to find out violations committing by the industries. 

“The Minister assured us that he would constitute a probe committee. We also urged the Minister to make the officials and managements concerned responsible for not complying with the terms and conditions of the Ministry, to protect the environment and to save thousands of people living near the APSEZ,” Vijayasai Reddy said.

By VKL Gayatri