After a long wait for over five years, there seems to be a solution in sight for rehabilitation of 500-odd villagers of China Tadi, BC Colony and Peda Tadi, who are living with constant fear due to frequent accidents and unabated pollution from units located at Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City.
The villagers, who have been living close to the JNPC developed by Ramky after concession agreement was signed with the government in 2004, have been running from pillar to post seeking relocation due to groundwater contamination and emission of polluted air.
After they staged dharnas, laid siege to JNPC entry gate, the villagers, most of them BPL families, the district administration had initiated negotiations in 2011. However, the proposal to relocate them hit a roadblock with none – neither Ramky nor APIIC coming forward to fund rehabilitation and resettlement cost.
While APIIC had contended that the onus lay with Ramky, the latter claimed being a developer it was not their responsibility.
Meet with stakeholders
Collector N. Yuvaraj, who held a meeting with the stakeholders and officials on Saturday made it very clear that the government was ready to rehabilitate the pollution-hit people at Chinamushidiwada. After identifying a government site, he also directed the local officials to lay the boundary wall.
Though it is not yet clear on modalities to foot the bill for construction of houses and other facilities, the district administration will go ahead with a biometric survey. ZPTC member Paila Jagannadha Rao said they were happy that finally the project to rehabilitate pollution sufferers was gaining steam.
JNPC developed in an area of 2400 acres at Parawada is now saturated forcing the government to plan another Pharma City at Atchutapuram.
JNPC houses major bulk drug units like Hospira, which is investing Rs.2,400 crore on a large pre-natal manufacturing facility. Pharma majors Mylan, Eisai and Lupin have also made major investments at JNPC.
“We heartily welcome revival of rehabilitation and resettlement initiative. We hope the government will bear all the expenses as per Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 after paying due compensation for the lands and buildings to be acquired at Tadi and nearby pollution-affected areas,” CPI (M) State Secretariat member Ch. Narsinga Rao said.
