Hyderabad: Film highlights pollution in Patancheru

Hyderabad: A film 'An Unequal Fight' produced by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy which tracks the implementation of the court orders for restoration of environment in Patancheru and Bollarum area is bringing back focus on the polluting industries. Tracing the legal battle and consequences, the film throws light on the failure in implementation of court judgments.

Many industrial units had come up in these IDAs between 1975 and 1983, especially on the banks of the Nakkavagu, a tributary of the river Manjira.

These chemical units directly or indirectly discharge their effluents into the Nakkavagu River. These effluents seep into the river Manjira and travel downstream all the way into Edulabad which is 72 km away from Patancheru and Bollarum. Edulabad is primarily an agricultural belt which uses water from River Musi to irrigate its produce.

Dr Narasimha Donthy Reddy, agricultural activist says, "The polluter pays principle is highlighted but not implemented. The environmental protection act empowers people but is disempowered by the Pollution Control Board." He adds, "In a disturbing trend the PCB now questions the complainant."