Andhra Pradesh - Srikakulam

Villagers pour out their woes

Srikakulam: CPI State secretary K. Narayana on Friday visited several villages in Etcherla, Ponduru and Laveru mandals that were affected by air and water pollution caused by chemical emissions from the National Agro Chemicals Limited (NACL).

The villages in 5-10 km radius of the NACL experience a nauseating odour caused by the smoke that emanates from the chimneys of the pesticide producing firm.

The villagers of Kesavadespuram, which is located just half km from the factory, told Mr. Narayana that many young and old people developed respiratory problems, lung infections and even TB over a period of time due to continuous exposure to pollution.

A local youth Venkata Ramana said: “My father quit the job in the company as he developed respiratory diseases due to prolonged exposure to the atmospheric pollution.” Ramana said that he was also suffering from respiratory problems and TB, which rendered him unfit for any work.

Seven-year-old Durgaiah, too, was suffering from respiratory problems as he had been exposed to pollution since his birth in the village.

Village sarpanch R. Kondamma rued lack of united approach to the common problem because of political differences.

During his interaction with the villagers, Mr. Narayana was even told how even the groundwater got polluted because of discharge of chemical wastes by the company. Water from bore-wells was certified as unfit for drinking by the Panchayat Raj water quality monitoring laboratory which conducts the tests from time to time.

Mr. Narayana assured the local people of taking up the issue with the government and exerting pressure on the authorities concerned to do the needful.

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