HYDERABAD: Are Telangana Pollution Control Board hearings become namesake public hearings? Though several of those participating in public hearings are opposing the polluting factories their voices of dissent are routinely recorded. Permissions are granted despite fears expressed about pollution. For instance SV Lab hearing took place at Choutuppal in Nalgonda there are equal number of people supporting and opposing it in the public hearing. It is alleged that all the assurances given to control pollution are not followed.

According to the minutes of the environmental public hearing for expansion of SV Labs Private Limited at Koyyalgudem in Choutuppal in Yadadri Bhongir in Telangana held recently locals raised their dissent.

Harinath a resident of D Nagaram said, ”Even filtered water PH values are not of standards. We are against expansion. Skin diseases were prevelant among the people. Due to air pollution people are experiences problems.”

Sandeep Kumar PDSU Division secretary said, ”The management of the industries and public representaives are colluding. Unauthorised effleunT tankers and vehicles carrying solid waste are dumping them in waste lands. Industries are not fufilling the promises made during public hearings.”

Eswar Kumar of Koyyalagudem alleged, ”Many people are not aware of the public hearing. We have collected the opinion and submitted in writing the panel.”

One G Laxma reddy of Dhotigudem said that farmers are suffering crops loss due to polluted water and foul odour proble is prevaklant. Mohammed Ibrahim Mandal parishad cooption members aid the Yadadri area is becoming another Patancheru. He opposed the expansion.

Vijay Kumar Reddy director of SV Labs informed the public hearing ,”Pollution control equipment is operated and levels are withing stnadards. Additional equipment will be installed as per the requirement. We are supplying drinking water to D Nagaram and yellambavi villages and to schools.”

Participants in public hearing who supported the expansion sought employment to the locals. Chotuppal and Poachampalli mandals are affected due to the pollution from pharma and hemical units.

