Fumes, filth and noise fuel residents’ fury in Uppuguda colony | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: For nearly two months, residents of Hanuman Nagar near the Mangala Mukhi Hanuman Temple in Uppuguda have been battling fumes, metallic dust and constant noise from an allegedly illegal metal-processing unit in their colony. They claimed that around 12 people had been admitted to hospital with respiratory and other health complaints. Residents alleged that, despite repeatedly approaching the police and the GHMC, the factory resumes operations after every brief halt.According to residents, the unit, which is involved in metal breaking, moulding and cutting, has been affecting the health and daily lives of nearly 30 to 35 families, comprising around 200 to 250 people.In a petition submitted in Oct to the zonal commissioner of GHMC’s Charminar Zone through Prajavani, residents alleged that the industrial unit had been operating in a residential area.“The factory operates from morning till evening, releasing fumes, foul odours and metallic dust into the surrounding neighbourhood. Around 12 people were recently admitted to hospitals with respiratory and other health complaints. Elderly residents, particularly those above 70 years of age, and people with existing health conditions are finding it difficult to cope with the pollution,” said A Tharun Kumar, a resident.Residents also said the continuous noise and vibrations from the machinery were affecting children’s studies and disturbing the sleep of elderly people. “The factory operates throughout the day, and the loud machinery makes it difficult for children to concentrate on their studies. We are also unable to get proper rest,” said G Raghukanth.Residents further alleged that the factory operators threatened them with iron rods and issued death threats when they objected to the operations. They said they had approached the Chatrinaka police several times and dialled 100 about seven to eight times since Sept.In the representation submitted to GHMC and shared with TOI, residents cited five police complaint IDs. The petition also named the purported landowner and the factory operator, alleging that the unit was operating from an open plot and a semi-permanent shed without mandatory municipal permissions and pollution-control clearances.“Though police interventions temporarily stopped the operations, the unit resumed work after a few days,” alleged K Rani.Residents have now urged authorities, including the GHMC and the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), to inspect the premises and stop the unit’s operations at the earliest.Acknowledging the issue, GHMC Charminar zonal commissioner Satyanarayana said, “We will take the necessary action from GHMC’s side. However, other departments, including the Labour Department and the Pollution Control Board, also need to initiate action.”Photo quotes:“We have approached the police and the GHMC repeatedly, but the problem continues. We want the authorities to take permanent action instead of allowing the factory to reopen after every complaint.” – Akula Sriramulu, senior citizen“People who have spent decades living in this residential neighbourhood should not be forced to suffer because of an industrial unit operating next to their homes. This is a residential area, not an industrial zone. Such metal-processing units should be located in designated industrial areas, not in the middle of a colony.” – Mamidi Ramakrishna, resident
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