POLLUTION BOARD SHUTS CHEMICAL FIRM

An inspection of the Jeedimetla Industrial area on April 20 by the Telangana Pollution Control Board proved to be costly to Athulitha Laboratories, formerly known as Vegsena Laboratories. A pipeline with chemical traces was found on the road opposite the industry.

On further investigation by officials, an HDPE pipe, five feet deep and another pipe, 1.5 feet deep was found. The pipeline was laid from the industry wall and when an inspection was conducted in the factory, pieces of the same HDPE pipe were found which was cut during the laying of the pipeline.

The industry has been illegally discharging effluents through an underground pipeline which is a gross violation of the Board’s orders and therefore we have submitted a closure order on Saturday. We will not allow any concessions or negotiations,” says a senior TSPCB official.

Earlier this month, two industries, namely Venkateswara Industries and Tagoor chemicals were found discharging effluents through illegal pipelines. They were also inspected by the TSPSCB after they were given a tip-off.

The board officials have stated that they will conduct a detailed investigation near chemical units to find out such gross violations.

Most industries have dug pipelines that are more than two feet deep to avoid visibility and stench. Officials claim that it is causing irreversible harm to the groundwater.