Hyderabad, 27 October (H.S.): BJP MP Eatala Rajender on Tuesday launched a four-day padayatra covering 60 km, demanding the relocation of the Jawahar Nagar dumpyard over alleged health and environmental hazards affecting residents in surrounding areas.

Rajender, the Lok Sabha member from Malkajgiri, began the march after offering prayers at the Lord Ranganatha temple in Yedulabad. During a visit to Yedulabad lake, he said the waterbody had once supported the livelihoods of local fishermen.

He alleged that leachate from the dumpyard was contaminating the lake, leading to fish deaths and illness among livestock that drank its water. He also claimed that polluted water and toxic air from the dumpyard were contributing to kidney ailments, respiratory illnesses and skin problems among people in the surrounding areas.

Rajender accused the state government of failing to address the issue despite Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy having earlier approached the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over the matter. He called for a detailed project report on environmentally sustainable waste disposal to prevent the continued accumulation of solid waste at Jawahar Nagar.

The BJP MP demanded that multiple dumpyards be established in non-residential areas around Hyderabad. He estimated that the problem could be addressed at a cost of around Rs 3,000 crore.

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao expressed support for the agitation and said the government should clarify whether it had implemented earlier NGT directives on regulating waste disposal.

Rao alleged that pollution, foul odour and water contamination were affecting Jawahar Nagar and other parts of Hyderabad, including Tarnaka and Osmania University. Referring to a waste-to-energy plant in Okhla, New Delhi, he said scientific and environmentally sound waste management practices should be adopted in Hyderabad.

Rao said the BJP would continue its agitation until the dumpyard was relocated.

The Jawahar Nagar dumpyard receives around 8,000 tonnes of garbage daily. Revanth Reddy had earlier suggested setting up four dumpyards on the outskirts of Hyderabad, away from residential areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar