Act against industrial pollution, urge people

Manoharabad: The pollution causing by a steel company located at Chetla Gouraram is virtually destroying greenery and agricultural fields in the surrounding areas. Apart from this, people who are being affected by pollution and falling sick so often. People in the surrounding villages lament that they are losing their livelihoods and even health due to pollution. They wonder what the officials of Pollution Control Board are doing.

The industries were set up, expecting them to foster development on various fronts. The youth of the region expected a rise in employment opportunities, while others hoped to make fortune on account of industrial development. However, on the contrary, their hopes of employment were dashed and their lives were badly disturbed.

Many farmers are doing away with agriculture as their fields are affected by the pollutants. Not just air, water pollution is also adding to their woes. Speaking to The Hans India here on Sunday, Lingam, a farmer from Rangayyapalli, said that his fellow villagers were suffering from different diseases due to the unbearable pollution.

Another farmer Bolla Narasikhulu said the plants were not able to survive due to the high degree of water pollution. He demanded that the government should test the water to assess the situation.

Woman farmer Boina Lakshmi said that they got an itching sensation on their skin after consuming the polluted water. Children are falling sick, she added. She demanded that the government take necessary steps to contain the menace.

Bakka Swapna, a villager, said they are facing acute water scarcity as the water bodies got polluted. People were also being infected with diseases and farmers were leaving agriculture for good and migrating to cities as coolies, she bemoaned.

This is not just one incident of pollution. Several industries in the district are playing havoc with the lives of people. An industry in Tajapur village in Shankarpet, and another one in Chegunta mandal are also disturbingly affecting the lives of villages in the district. Local people are appealing to the authorities and the state government to take appropriate action against the erring industries.