Hyderabad: Though the victims of industrial pollution in Patancheru have been demanding compensation since 30 years, it has not materialised due to the lackadaisical attitude of the concerned officials.
The Supreme Court and the High Court had found that the 36 km river bed of Nakkawagu is polluted with chromium and arsenic, and had ordered a free and continuous water supply to all the affected villages.
The courts also ordered compensation to all the people whose land lay up to 500 metres of the riverbed. The residents alleged that they are yet to get the compensation as corrupt officials are changing the records.
On July 31, the collector of Sangareddy district had submitted a report to the Pollution Control Board (PCB), and stated that water supply to six villages Kajipally, Inole, Byanthole, Artula and Chidruppa is being carried out via tankers and lorries.
“In the last 35 years, the number of industrial units have increased from 60 to over 400, and is spread over four industrial estates. But water supply to this area is still irregular,” said Dr Kishan Rao, who has been highlighting the plight of Patancheru residents since 1984.
Dr Kishan Rao has also filed a PIL in the Supreme Court. “The river is polluted. Consequently, the adjacent land has turned into a wasteland. There is nothing left for us to make a living,” said Mr Muthial C., a resident of Chidruppa village.
Against an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2016, the authorities have maintained that they have set up a 100-bed hospital in the area. The residents, however, alleged that the medical facility is located far away from their villages. They also noted that the hospital is not equipped with necessary facilities to detoxify their bodies.
“From Patancheru’s case, it is evident that despite court orders, the concerned agencies are sulking to act,” said advocate M.C Mehta, a Padmashri awardee who has fought this case for 30 years. He noted, “It is a dead river flowing. Why is there no political will to save it?”
