Industry cluster still chokes, residents face the burnt again

  HYDERABAD:Condition at the Industrial Belt area which was already declared to critically polluted areas in the city in 2009 by the Central Pollution Board, has not improved over the years despite several efforts made by the concerned departments. Severe dust and chemical pollution in the Industrial cluster areas of the city is driving out the residents living in areas such as Patencheru, Balanagar, Kukatpally and Bolarum. The areeas have seen a rise  in particulate matter and carbon monoxide levels in the past few years. For instance, PM10 lvels rose from 8o ug/m3 to 130 ug/m3 from 2016 to 2018

Residents  said the sources that they are shifting their residents to less polluted areas to eascape from the pollution menace to take avoid the health hazards.  The pharmaceutical industry has seen an unregulated growth in all these areas in the over a period of a decade.

Officials of the Telangna State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) asserted that they are taking steps to check pollution.

We have patrolling teams to check if these industries are flouting rules. We also conduct random inspections are flouting rules. we also conduct random inspections in these areas, said Mr Raveender Reddy, Joint Chief environmental engineer, TSPCB .