Lifting of Moratorium on Projects-Pattancheru- Bollaram Area

 

 This has reference to MOEF Office Memorandum dated 26-10-10 lifting the Moratorium, on consideration of projects for Environmental Clearance (EC) in respect of projects to be located in Pattancheru- Bollaram area in AP State, as per the recommendation of CPCB, which is understood to have been based on the actions initiated by the local stake holders for improving environment quality of the area.

 

Discharges from PETL-18 KM Pipeline

 

 As per the information available, the CETP Pattancheru (PETL) is understood to be transferring its treated effluents to Amberpet STP through 18 Km Pipeline for further treatment (Dilution) and discharge into Musi River, thus avoiding discharges into local streams / water bodies.

 

 If outlet standards, applicable for discharge into inland surface waters, are being met by PETL as stipulated by Hon'ble Supreme Court, why not the treated effluents from PETL, be utilized by the member industrial units in Pattancheru Area?. What is the need to use the 18 Km pipeline, to convey treated effluents, conforming to inland surface water standards, all the way to STP at Amberpet, incurring considerable recurring expenditure for pumping etc and depleting ground water sources in Pattancheru area?

                                                

 

18 km Pipeline- Camouflage for Shifting Pollution of PETL

 

    In actual fact, the transfer of so called treated effluents of PETL through 18 Km Pipeline, is nothing but shifting the pollution problem from Nakka Vagu in Pattancheru area to Musi River, for diluting the pollution concentration levels (and not the load) and the accountability, that too cleverly camouflaged in a pipeline, as is already being done by CETP at Jeedimetla.

                                                          

  The very purpose of Supreme Court directive in W.P.N0.1056 of 1990 as far back as 1998, for segregation of waste streams containing non-degradable pollutants at the very source of their generation ie at the industry itself, instead of sending it to CETP, so as to prevent Dilution as a Solution to Pollution, is defeated by the 18 km Pipeline.

 

 Unless the water pollution generated is identified, quantified treated and accounted for at the very source of its generation, there is every danger of it being passed on to elsewhere and to others and diluting the Pollution, Responsibility and Accountability. It is what seems to be happening in Pattancheru–Bollaram & elsewhere, making the reported improvement of water environment quality of the area a Myth. The letter dated 25-07-08 addressed to Member Secretary, CPCB and letter dated 10-06-10 addressed to Hon'ble Minister of State, E&F, with copy to CPCB on the subject refer.

 

Permanent Ban in Pattancheru- Bollaram Area

 

 Considering the pollution problems, local issues, need to protect the Drinking Water Resources and Water for Agriculture, the APPCB issued Notification of 14-10-1996, restricting the establishment / expansion of all types of Bulk Drugs, Pesticides(Tech), Dyes & Dye Intermediate manufacturing Industries and all types of Water Polluting industries in Pattancheru –Bollaram Industrial area and I Km radius of the area along with other IEs and IDAs in Medak, Ranga Reddy, Mahaboobnagar and Nallagonda districts  for 2 years from 01-01-97.

  .

 Subsequently, the AP Govt. issued G.O.Ms.No 62 of 28-04-1999 making the existing ban notification of 14.10.1996, issued by the APPCB permanent, in accordance with the interim orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in W.P.No. 1056/90, dated. 12.05.1998.

 

Validity of Lifting Moratorium by MOEF?

 

 In view of Hon'ble Supreme Court Order and consequent AP Govt. G.O.Ms.No 62 of 28-04-99, permanently restricting the establishment / expansion of all types of Water Polluting industries in Pattancheru –Bollaram Industrial area and in other IEs &IDAs, the validity of MOEF Office Memorandum dated 26-10-10, lifting the Moratorium, on consideration of E.C in respect of projects to be located in Pattancheru- Bollaram area is highly questionable/objectionable.

 

 Conclusion

 

 In the light of the position explained above, it is requested that the lifting of moratorium in respect of Pattancheru –Bollaram Industrial area be deleted from MOEF Office Memorandum dated 26-10-10 and the permanent ban imposed by GO. Ms. No. 62 dated 28-04-1999, be strictly implemented.

 

 It is also requested that if the treated effluents of PETL conform to the surface water standards, the same may please be utilized locally, instead of transferring them at considerable expenditure through 18 KM Pipeline to Amberpet STP, the surplus capacity of which can be utilized for treating untreated sewage finding its way into Musi River