Pharma pollution: Locals to launch hunger strike in Anthammagudem

Hyderabad: Residents of Anthammagudem village in Bhoodan Pochampally, alleging years of pollution from nearby pharma and chemical units, will launch a mass hunger strike from May 13, demanding action against the industries they blame for contaminating groundwater, damaging crops, and affecting public health.‘Air, water and soil pollution rampant’According to petitioners V Lingaiah, V Narasimha and V Sarada of the village, air, water and soil pollution have become rampant in Anthammagudem due to 11 bulk drug and pharmaceutical units operating in the area. They said two industries are located on the western side of the village within a 2-km radius, while nine are on the eastern side.The villagers, under the banner of Anthammagudem Kalushya Vimukthi Porata Samithi, said repeated complaints to authorities over industrial emissions, chemical discharge, gas leakage and foul odour have yielded little relief. They alleged that they had filed nearly 200 complaints over the past five years, but the problem has continued.Anthammagudem and nearby villages have figured repeatedly in pollution complaints and environmental public hearings linked to industrial activity in the Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri belt. Three petitions have also been filed before the National Green Tribunal seeking action and crop compensation.‘Groundwater unfit for irrigation’The petitioners said pollution had gradually increased from 2017. They alleged that total dissolved solids in borewell water, which should be within permissible limits, had risen from about 3,000 to nearly 50,000 in some cases.They said a report filed by the district agriculture officer through the collector stated that farmers were suffering crop losses of about Rs 30,000 per acre per season due to pollution. The Pollution Control Board report, they said, found that water was not suitable for irrigation because of pollution attributed to industries, including Sri Jaya Laboratories and Vineet Laboratories Private Limited.Villagers allege health impactThe villagers alleged that emissions and gases from the industries were affecting public health. They claimed that exposure to gases such as benzene and phosgene had raised concerns, and villagers had complained of lung damage, skin diseases and hormonal issues.The protesters said the Central Pollution Control Board inspected the area in 2025 and issued directions, but alleged that the State Pollution Control Board had not resolved the issue. Their immediate demand is to stop pollution and initiate action against the industries responsible.ends