The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘Pollution due to tanneries’

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Pollution due to tanneries’

Special Correspondent

Hyderabad: Water pollution in Bholakpur, which caused the death of four persons on Tuesday, is the result of tanneries in the area. Units dealing in animal skin dig small pits for keeping the skin in the sand and in the process damage the water pipelines, said Harsha Vardhan, Executive Director, HMWSSB.

The area also had a large number of tap pits dug up by the residents on account of low water pressure. As a result contaminated water entered the pipes during non supply days. Pipes laid some 15 years ago had got corroded due to tanning activity, Mr. Vardhan said.

To improve the water pressure it was necessary to lay bigger pipes but the narrow lanes did not permit this. As a result drinking water and sewerage lines often criss-crossed. There was no pollution at the Maekla Mandi reservoir from where water was supplied to Bholakpur. “The problem lies in the 500 connections here”, Mr. Vardhan said.

He said the Board was supplying water through tankers whenever pollution was noticed.

Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav faced the wrath of the residents when he visited the area on Tuesday afternoon. He was pushed around and some irate locals threw the adulterated water collected in bottles on him. He had to take shelter behind a TV news channel’s OB van before he was rescued by the police. Musheerabad MLA Manemma Anjaiah beat a hasty retreat without getting down from her car. Baton wielding police were deployed in large numbers in Bholakpur area to control the mob fury. Officials of the Water Board were conspicuous by absence.

Fearing the public resentment none of them turned up in the affected area. It was left largely to the GHMC officials and police to pacify the residents and explain the situation. GHMC personnel went round in a van urging people to drink only boiled water.

Waheeda Begum, mother of Feroze, was inconsolable with grief at her home in Indranagar. Even as her youngest son died in her arms yesterday, her two other children - Tabassum (8) and Rahim (12) are admitted into the Gandhi Hospital with complaints of vomiting and diarrhoea.

In the nearby Samdani galli, death struck Syed Osman. A retired watchman, he was rushed to the Fever Hospital last night when he developed vomiting and motions. From there he was referred to Osmania Hospital where he breathed his last on Tuesday morning.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who is in Shimla, expressed shock and grief over the incident.

He directed Minister for Hospital Services V. Venkateswara Rao and B.C. Welfare Minister Mukesh Goud, to rush to the area. He also asked Mr. Anjan Kumar Yadav to help provide adequate treatment to the people.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to immediately inspect the water quality and make alternate drinking water supply arrangement. He told Finance Minister K. Rosaiah to arrange ex gratia to the kith and kin of those who died and directed the Chief Secretary to convene a review meeting.

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