Midnight chemical leak in special economic zones raises health and environmental concerns

Visakhapatnam: Workers and activists have expressed serious concerns about the nightly release of chemical pollutants from the industrial units of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“These illegal emissions pose a significant health risk to employees and residents in the vicinity. The pollutants reach as far as the NTPC Parwada beach,” the activists stressed.

Local resident Bucchi said the air smells of chemicals after midnight, making breathing difficult for several hours. These pollutants also contaminate the water and harm aquatic life, he said.

He also highlighted the impact on the region's wildlife. During the breeding season, several turtles are found on the beach and could be at risk from the pollution.

While Deccan Chronicle raised the issue at a media meet of the pharmaceutical company held by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday, he responded that a committee would be set up to look into the matter. He also warned the industry against dumping harmful chemicals into the sea.

The chief minister noted that there are two pharmaceutical companies in special economic zones in AP – one in Achyutapuram, where the recent blast occurred, and the other in Parwada. Both the companies fall in the “red-orange” category of pharmaceutical companies, he said.

The Special Economic Zone covers a total of 1,949 acres with 95 plots of land, of which 66 have already been allocated, while 36 are under construction and 26 are already operational.

In the last five years, 119 accidents occurred at these plants, resulting in 120 deaths. The number of incidents was as follows: four in 2019, three in 2021, four in 2022, five in 2023 and two this year. The chief minister said a safety committee would be set up to prevent future accidents and a meeting would be held with industrialists.