Nakkapalli Bulk Drug Park project opposed at public hearing

Mild tension prevailed at the public hearing conducted by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) on the Bulk Drug Park (BDP) project proposed at Nakkapalli on Wednesday, with the police detaining CPI(M) leaders and activists on charges of obstructing the programme.

CPI(M) Central Committee leader K. Lokanatham, who was detained, said that this public hearing for the bulk drug project was held after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in January this year.

“Not only the local residents but also a section of leaders and activists of the ruling coalition partners are opposing the project. However, the government is using the police force to conduct the public hearing without giving all stakeholders a chance to speak their mind,” Mr. Lokanatham said.

The CPI(M) leader said that he was detained by the police during the public hearing and taken to S. Rayavaram police station, around 15 km from the venue. “The police released me in the evening. A total of six candidates from our party were also detained,” he said.

CPI(M) Anakapalli district secretary G. Koteswara Rao told the media that many locals and environmentalists raised red flags about the environmental and public health risks posed by the bulk drug park project.

“With this project, Nakkapalli will become like Jeedimetla of Hyderabad. We all saw how some areas such as Patancheru, Bollaram, Sangareddy, Jeedimetla in Hyderabad are suffering due to pollution and poisonous gases emitted by the industrial units there,” he said.

People from fishing villages attended the public hearing held near the MRO office in Nakkapalli. They protested against the project.

“We are already witnessing recurrent accidents in pharma companies in Parawada mandal. Nakkapalli is proposed to be a bigger pharmaceutical hub than Parawada. The government shifted the project from Kakinada after facing strong opposition there,” said a villager.

As per the guidelines for the scheme for promotion of BDPs introduced by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in March 2020, the BDP project was proposed at Nakkapalli in Andhra Pradesh Bulk Drug Park in 1270.80 acres by M/s Andhra Pradesh Bulk Drug Infrastructure Corporation Limited. The total estimated project cost is ₹1257.75 crore.