TSPCB forms 24x7 team to track pollution at Kazipally

HYDERABAD: A committee comprising officials from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board on Friday ordered the formation of a 24x7 monitoring team to track pollution in the Kazipally industrial area. The decision was arrived at a meeting following a TOI report on pollution engulfing nearly one-third of the city last month.

A five-member committee held an online meet with industrial stakeholders and affected residents to discuss the steps needed to be taken after the TOI report “Sulphur-like smell unnerves city, locals approach PCB” was published on September 12, 2020.
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Speaking on the occasion, executive engineer Ravi Kumar suggested that pollutants released from three industries in the Kazipally-Gaddapotharam area could be responsible for the foul smell that residents have been encountering.
He said that Mercaptan used during the industrial process and disposal of solid waste might be cause for the pungent smell. In addition, other chemicals might also be contributing, he suggested. About preventive measures, he said basic precautions such as the use of scrubbers and carbon columns were not being followed.
Residents on their part raised complaints about the continuing smell in their areas. Lakshman, a resident of Bachupally, said, “We were getting a pungent smell even yesterday that was unbearable. By the time the PCB team arrives, the odour reduces.”
Srinivas K, another resident of the area said: “Since the incident on September 12, at least 20 other instances of pollution spreading across areas have taken place. Complaints have been marked as ‘to be attended’.”
The committee took a serious view of the incidents. Speaking to industrial representatives separately, they warned of environmental compensation norms.