Hyderabad: Dirty water from dump yard power unit spawns skin diseases

Hyderabad: Residents of Jawaharnagar have tried every possible protest to draw attention of the powers that be to the need to stop leachate water oozing from the 20-mw power plant at the dump yard. This led to an increase in spread of skin diseases among children, who are forced to walk in polluted water to reach their schools. The locals point out that daily around 1,000-1,500 school-going children in the locality are facing severe health hazards due to contaminated water flowing out. They are forced to cross the stagnated water in some colonies.

Last year at the plant’s inauguration, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K T Rama Rao assured that not even a single drop of polluted water will be out, but the ground reality is polluted water has been oozing out from the dump yard and flowing into colonies. As a result, numerous cases of water-borne diseases and infections have been reported among the children. This situation is not only alarming, but poses a grave threat to their well-being and future.

Rajiv of Dammaiguda said,” day by day the condition is turning worst; the smell is unbearable; we are forced to close our doors and windows, as dirty water gets stagnated in the lanes; the locals are facing hardship to commute. Due to the government’s negligence the residents are suffering.

Earlier, assurances were given by the government that very soon those residing in and around the dump yard would get permanent relief, but now even our children are suffering, specially those residing in slums.”

Said social activist Sandeep Raj, “the health and safety of children is at stake, as many students are forced to walk through polluted water. In the last two weeks, many students suffered from skin diseases. It will be better if officials of the Jawaharnagar municipality conduct a thorough investigation of the source and extent of water contamination near the dump yard, they should initiate immediate steps to prevent contamination and secure the area to deter any unauthorised access. Medical camps should be arranged to assess the health status of the affected children to diagnose and treat their ailments promptly.”

“We are vexed of complaining to the concerned officials for providing a permanent solution; an official has visited our locality to verify the issue, but no action was taken. Due to polluted water my seven-year-old daughter suffers from skin allergies; other local children suffer from allergies, said a resident of Jawaharnagar.