After a spate of accidents and raids for alleged violation of norms by various investigation agencies, Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City is in trouble again after AP Pollution Control Board’s decision not to accord clearance to any new unit or expansion by existing units.
The pharma city developed by Ramky Infrastructure was earlier in news for attachment notices served by the Enforcement Directorate for allegedly developing plots in the Special Economic Zone and non-SEZ in areas earmarked for green belt.
The JNPC developed at Parawada in an area of 2400 acres has so far attracted 58 units, which are in operation providing employment to around 5,000 people.
“On the directions from our head office, we have served orders on the JNPC management and conveyed our decision not to give any clearance to Greenfield or Brownfield projects,” APPCB Environment Engineer K. Ravi Kumar told The Hindu.
Effluent treatmentAPPCB in a letter intimated that the usage of Common Effluent Treatment Plant had already exceeded its permissible limit. However, the JNPC management, while stating that they were ready to increase the capacity of the CETP further whenever it was required, stated that the assessment was made based on total land taken by various units.
“Even though a unit is under operation in just five to 10 acres, the estimate was made based on total land acquired by them for which they have obtained permission. We have explained our stand with facts and figures at a meeting held in the presence of top APIIC officials in Hyderabad a few days ago,” explained JNPC CEO Lal Krishna.
When contacted, he said the CETP had a capacity of 4.5 million litres per day of the utilisation was just 34 per cent. Stating that they had invested Rs.80 crore in the plant, he said if required they were ready to expand its capacity further.
