Nizampet residents choke on chemical odour from pharma units, demand action from pollution board

Hyderabad: For the past two months, residents of Bachupally, Nizampet and Pragatinagar have been grappling with a sharp chemical odour in the open areas. Many complain of headaches, coughing and irritation whenever the smell intensifies, particularly in the late evenings and early mornings.

M Vinod, a resident of Bachupally, speaking to NewsMeter, described the impact: “The air pollution has become unbearable due to pharma companies releasing untreated chemicals into the air. Despite multiple complaints, the Pollution Control Board (PCB) has failed to take strict action, putting residents’ health at risk. We demand an immediate and effective response from the authorities before the situation worsens.”

Residents report that the smell is so strong that they cannot even open their balcony doors for air circulation. “Children in our community can’t even go into the corridor to play because of this. The moment the smell spreads, they start coughing,” said another resident.

Protests held after complaints go unanswered

The residents had raised complaints with the PCB multiple times, but no action has been taken so far. Some communities that reached out to the PCB were promised an inspection, but no resolution has been provided.

Frustrated with inaction, residents of Bachupally organised a protest near Bachupally X Road, opposite Silver Oaks School. Around 100 to 150 people from various communities participated in the protest, which lasted over two hours.

“The smell has been affecting us for years, but in the last couple of months, it has intensified. We had no choice but to take to the streets,” said Vinod.

History of pollution struggles in Bachupally

This is not the first time residents have fought against air pollution in the area.

• In 2016, residents organised rallies, relay hunger strikes and submitted representations to ministers and public representatives. Their efforts led to penalties on violating industries, increased vigilance and the installation of air quality monitoring equipment.

• In 2020, during the lockdown, pollution levels rose again. Residents launched an online signature campaign and filed a petition with over 5,000 signatures.

• Now, in 2025, the issue has resurfaced, prompting residents to mobilise once more.

“Despite our past efforts, the pollution keeps returning. If no action is taken now, it will only get worse,” said another long-time resident.

Concerns over health and transparency

Residents suspect the smell comes from chemical emissions, possibly including methane and ammonia, but there is no official confirmation. The PCB has not disclosed any information regarding the source of the pollution.

“There is a fog-like formation in the area during the mornings when the smell is at its worst. It’s not just about discomfort—it’s about health risks. The authorities need to intervene before lives are lost,” said Vinod.

With over 10,000 houses in the affected areas, residents are now planning a larger protest, aiming for 1,000 participants and formal representations from over 100 community welfare associations.

“We have collected signatures and will be submitting a representation to the PCB soon. If this issue is not addressed, we will escalate our protest,” Vinod concluded.

As residents wait for answers, the chemical smell continues to be a daily struggle, raising urgent concerns about air quality and accountability in Bachupally.