Industrial effluents create havoc to Eluru people

Eluru: Industrial pollution has become a threat to people in many parts of the district. The industrial waste has been diverted into canals and drains without proper treatment.

The direct exposure to effluents are giving diseases to the people residing in the near-by localities.

People have been complaining that the government officials are not taking it seriously, while posing threat to people’ lives. Many diseases, including respiratory problems, liver and kidney ailments are caused by these effluents, they complain.

Yenamadurru and Gonteru drains have become pollutants as industries are directly releasing poisonous liquids into them without treatment. The health hazards were brought to the notice of the government by people several times. Though a minister assured to address the problem, there seems to be no end to the release of industrial effluents.

The Yenamadurru canal is spreading harmful gases and stink. The canal used to supply drinking water to people in and around Bhimavaram. No Pollution Control Board official visited the area to assess the damage done to public health because of the chemicals and effluents.

The problem is so serious that the industrial waste has been causing extensive damage to aqua industry. Surprisingly, the Bhimavaram municipal body is also dumping the garbage into Yenamadurru. Even the waste of slaughtered animals has been diverted to the drain.

The waste in aqua processing unit is directly flowing into Gonteru drain which was main source of livelihood to people of more than 40 villages. The villagers have been alleging that the managements of these industries had bribed the officials to prevent them from taking action against them.