TOXIC EMISSIONS в AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH HAZARDS, HYDERABAD, AP

TOXIC EMISSIONS в AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH HAZARDS,HYDERABAD, AP



To

Mr. Jairam Ramesh
Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Government of India
New Delhi, India

Dear Sir,

We have been noticing pungent chemical smell in the air in major parts of Hyderabad city areas such as Gachibowli, Kondapur, Madhapur, Ameerpet and Kukatpally for longtime. We wish to point out that in the recent past specifically last three to four weeks besides the summer months, the smell was much severe from previous occasions resulting in severe health issues for the community members including children and adults. We have complained to the concerned authorities such as APPCB offices on number of occasions, and we have even met the concerned officials personally to raise our concerns.

The people living and working in here have been experiencing severe health issues including breathlessness, headaches, eye irritation, nausea, sleeplessness, dry cough, nasal allergies etc. We are not able to sleep inside our houses in spite of shutting all the doors and windows, and not able to breath properly. Day to day living has been compromised to a great extent due to pungent smell and toxic air. We have serious concerns about the long term ill effects of the chemical gases releasing into the air and causing not only air pollution but possible disastrous health impact on all surrounding communities. It is like slow poisoning where we are breathing in polluted air even inside of our homes, and afraid that its impact will be more than any industrial disaster we have seen so far.

It is unfortunate that the problem is still prevailing in spite of our repeated attempts to represent the severity of the issue to APPCB office, and there is heightened concern among all the families here on the inhalation of toxic/carcinogenic gases for longer durations which is unsafe, and lead to chronic and lethal effects, especially for young children.

Accordingly, we request for your immediate action and address the following;

1. Immediate strict measures to stop and prevent the toxic gas emissions.
2. Appoint/designate an official exclusively for continuous observation and investigation of the issue, and necessary strict action against the culprits;
3. A copy of any investigation reports and copy of preventive measure taken by the concerned authorities.

We shall very much appreciate your co-operation and prompt action in this matter.


Thank you.
Concerned Citizen Groups
Hyderabad, AP

CC:
1. The Chief Minister, State of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, India
2. Member Secretary, APPCB, Hyderabad, India
3. Media