Residents of Pragathi Nagar, near Nizampet in Hyderabad, have been dealing with a serious problem for the past few days. A toxic gas leak from a local industrial area has been affecting their neighborhood. Frustrated by the lack of action from the authorities, they staged a protest at Elip X roads on Sunday.
The residents believe the leak is coming from a nearby pharmaceutical unit. They are urging the authorities, especially the Pollution Control Board (PCB), to take immediate action and restore clean air in the area. The affected neighborhoods include Vasavi Layout, Shilpa Paradise, and Kakatiya Hills, all of which are close to the ALEAP industrial area.
The toxic fumes were first noticed on October 24, when a foul smell spread through the area in the early morning hours. This has caused major discomfort to residents in Pragathi Nagar, Nizampet, and Bachupally. Some people who stepped outside their homes felt dizzy, nauseous, and experienced burning sensations in their eyes.
To protect themselves, many residents chose to stay indoors to avoid breathing in the harmful fumes. Unfortunately, the issue has persisted both during the day and at night, making it difficult for people to carry on with their daily lives.
One concerned resident, Velumuri Srinivas, raised the alarm earlier this month by posting on social media. He tagged authorities and shared that the chemical smell was causing a lot of distress in the area. Another resident, Sai Teza, mentioned that despite submitting more than 50 complaints to the PCB, no action had been taken.
Due to the inaction from the authorities, the residents felt they had no choice but to protest. K. Abhilash, who also raised concerns on October 24, stated that chemical smells have become a regular issue in Pragathi Nagar and Gajularamaram. He requested the authorities to take strict action against companies that are not following pollution control rules.
The residents are hoping that their protest will finally push the authorities to address the issue and ensure their safety.
