Major drive to tackle all forms of pollution

Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao stated that the State government is considering setting up a ‘Hyderabad Clean Air Authority’ model to deal with the problem of pollution.

KTR informed the same after AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi raised the question of pollution levels in the city during the Question Hour in the Assembly.

Owaisi said that it was high time the government wakes up to the alarming situation. He said that as per reports the city stood at 24th place in Asia in terms of air pollution and that cases of asthma are on the rise.

“What is more alarming is that the pollution levels near TB Hospital area in Sanathnagar are stated to be the highest,” observed Owaisi. In addition, he stressed the need for educating people regarding garbage pollution.

“As a matter of fact Hyderabad is relatively better than others cities in the country and has been rated as a best city for living.

The Central Pollution Control Board, which studied the pollution problem in 21 different centres in Hyderabad, had found that it was moderate to satisfactory,” said KTR. However, he agreed that the pollution level in the city was a cause of concern.

The State government will soon convene a meeting of all MLAs to discuss ways and means to tackle the problem of alarming increase in air, water and noise pollution in the GHMC limits.

“With regards to noise pollution, the police and road transport authorities are dealing with the issue including implementing strict rules for imposing penalty and prosecutions,” said KTR.

He pointed out that one of the factors leading to seriousness of the problem is the presence of polluting industries, which called for their immediate shifting.

“As many as 1,545 such polluting industries were identified and would be shifted out in a phased manner by 2017. For the purpose of shifting and relocating these units, 19 places have been identified,” he said.

Regarding water pollution, KTR said that as per the data available water contamination was mainly due to discharge of untreated sewage.

To improve water quality, interception and diversion of nalas and providing STPs has to be taken up. “This is being looked after by HMWS&SB, HMDA and GHMC authorities,” said KTR.

The minister said that the government was considering to set up a water and sewerage treatment plant at an estimated cost of Rs.1240 crore.