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| Edited By: Sabu Cherian |Source: DNA |Updated: Jan 10, 2012, 05:09 PM IST
Locals in Vatva are facing chronic health problems because of gases and chemicals emitted by dyes and chemical industries.
The problem gets worse in winter when the chemical dust settles down. Gujarat Pollution Control Board has promised concrete action. Will there be light at the end of tunnel for the residents in this neighbourhood?
Residents of societies adjoining Vatva GIDC industrial area are a worried lot. Nimisha Shah, a resident of Harekrishna Park on Vatva-Vinzol road said, “Families staying here have become prone to problems because of factory-emitted waste. Pollution board officials come and inspect the area. But their visit has not translated into any concrete action. Our problems have only got worse.”
Explaining the gravity of the problem, another resident Sangeeta Prajapati said, “Before we begin our household chores, we have to clean our house to get rid off the dust and chemicals emitted by these industries.” Pointing to her dog (a white puppy) which had black spots on its body, she said the chemicals have become a danger even to animals. “Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI), bronchitis, allergic problems, asthma, skin diseases are some of the common ailments that we diagnose in patients who come here for regular treatment,” said Dr Aman Ismaili, who has been practising, for the last 15 years, in the vicinity.
Speaking on the issue, Shankar Patel, chairman of Vatva common effluent plant and president of Gujarat Dye-stuff Manufacturing Association said, “I want to make Vatva pollution-free within three months.”
“We have asked all the units to install bag-filter which will prevent dust particles from finding a way through. Scrubbers will also be made available to dye and pigment manufacturing industries which will prevent particles from spreading. The units are also disposing effluents through a closed pipeline to a common effluent system plant,” he said.
In addition, Patel said, “We are planning to install 20-22 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to monitor the emission of particles by chimneys of units. This will help Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) keep a tab on polluting units.” He said circulars have been issued to 30 companies to control emission.
When the problems of Vatva residents were brought to the notice of AA Dolti, regional officer, GPCB he said that Vatva, one of the oldest GIDCs of Ahmedabad, is a chemical notified zone. There are around 350-400 dyeing and pigment manufacturing units in the locality. “These units use spray dryers that have in-built air pollution control measures. A vigilance team from Gandhinagar has also been constituted to monitor spray dryers and we are keeping a tab on 12-15 units which are responsible for leakage of gases owing to their negligence,” said Dolti.
