Tension grips Nakkapalli over public hearing on Bulk Drug Park

The public hearing held by the AP Pollution Control Board at Nakkapalli over the proposed Bulk Drug Park (BDP) was marred on Wednesday with a large number of people from six affected fishermen villages strongly protesting against their fears over contamination of groundwater and other health hazards.

They said Nakkapalli may become another Jeedimetla of Telangana with pharma companies setting up their units at Rajayyapeta and other fishermen villages on the coast. They apprehended that the companies will release untreated effluents into the sea.

Several activists from various parties including CPI (M) leader K. Lokanadham were taken into custody before commencement of the public hearing. At Nakkapalli., Police deployed a large number of forces as the protesters insisted on cancelling the hearing and tried to break the cordon. They also raised slogans against the proposed Bulk Drug Park.

APIIC has proposed development of internal infrastructure at a cost of Rs.1876 crore in an area of 1793 acres. The villagers opposed the bid to acquire more land saying the project has been relocated to Nakkapali following protests at Kakinada, where originally the project was sanctioned. The Centre has promised to sanction Rs.1,000 crore for the project.

District Agriculture Workers' Union president M. Appalaraju told Bizz Buzz that the State Government is firm on establishing the park at Nakkapalli due to vested interest ignoring stiff opposition from the locals. He said the people in the vicinity do not want to live with constant fear of accidents keeping in view the regular accidents being experienced at Jawaharlal Nehru Health City (JNPC) and other health clusters in North Andhra.

Officials said the Bulk Drug Park will improve the economy in the region as it is located close to Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. (VCIC).