Environment Ministry panel recommends green nod for Pharma City

Clearance subject to conditions, including one related to land acquisition

An expert appraisal committee of the Union Ministry of Environment has recommended grant of environmental clearance (EC) for Hyderabad Pharma City, subject to certain conditions, including one pertaining to acquisition of remaining land for the project.

“Remaining land acquisition [has] to be done with the consent of land owners [and] only with suitable compensation,” the Committee, which met earlier this month, said. Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), the nodal agency, had placed the project for the panel’s approval a second time.

The project came up at the EAC meeting on May 7 after TSIIC gave its response to additional information the Committee had sought when deferring its decision in January. A sub-committee of the EAC had submitted a report after visiting the site on March 8-9.

Stating that the EC is subject to certain specific as well as generic conditions applicable to such projects, the Committee said TSIIC should try to shift the existing settlements from the proposed project. “If shifting is not possible, a buffer of 1 km shall be maintained” between the units and settlements.

Two villages — Gaugamarla Tanda (having 148 families) and Maripally (136 families) — that fall in the project site are to be provided R&R compensation as per existing national and state R&R provisions, TSIIC had said.

Other conditions the EAC stipulated include a 100-metre buffer along water bodies, protection of water bodies against contamination due to discharge/leakage of effluents; 100 metre buffer between forest and project development area; annual health survey in the areas; regular monitoring of surface and ground water quality; prohibiting use of ground water; annual study on status of crops and their yield within 5 km area of pharma city and creation of job opportunities for “land losers” after providing suitable training.

Only orange, green and white categories of industries are to be established in phase-III area of the project, said another condition.

The total area proposed for Hyderabad Pharma City, at Kandukur, Yacharam and Kadthal mandals of Ranga Reddy district, is 19,333 acres of which 7414 acres has been already acquired. The estimated project cost is ₹16,784 crore. The Pharma City is expected to create 5.6 lakh direct and indirect job opportunities.