NGT case: Pochampally water unsuitable for irrigation due to electrical conductivity

Hyderabad: Water samples sent for testing from Pochampally in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, in a case of pollution by a pharmaceutical company, were found unsuitable for irrigation due to high electrical conductivity.

The test was done by the Soil Testing Laboratory in Rajendranagar, on the order of the National Green Tribunal in a case pertaining to Brundavan Laboratories.

In the case, a farmer alleged water contamination, following which the green court ordered the agriculture department to inspect the fields of complainant Gummi Narendar Reddy in Jiblakpally village of Pochampally.

Three soil samples and three water samples from the borewell in the fields were collected from lands bearing survey numbers 248, 249, 259, 292 and 293.

The results stated ‘very high electrical conductivity of 3.95’ in survey numbers 248-249, terming it “not suitable for irrigation under normal conditions.”

“This water can be used occasionally if the soil is permissible and arrangements for adequate drainage facilities and salt tolerance crops should be selected,” the report stated.

Water samples collected from survey numbers 292 and 293 were fit for irrigation under normal conditions.

An analysis of soil samples found that the pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were within permissible limits, following which it was termed suitable for raising crops.

Previously, the revenue divisional officer of Choutuppal had paid a compensation of Rs 3,202.4 per acre to the complainant in 2020-21 over crop loss due to polluting pharma industries.