Thirty-three illegal plastic godowns in Shastripuram were demolished by municipal authorities. While the locals heaved a sigh of relief, the move has infuriated and created restiveness among factory owners. However the residents in the colony pointed out that only small units were pulled down while the bigger ones that were causing much damage to the environs of their colony remained untouched in the crackdown.
It must be noted that the Shastripuram a HUDA approved colony was established in 1976 since then factories and residents inhabit side by side in the area. And an unending dispute between the residents and the plastic factories to curtail pollution in their colony continues since then.
When our correspondent reached Shastripuram he found than 30 factories have been razed to the ground. One Abdullah bin Auz Aazam told that he had constructed a shed on 1500 sqyd land to use it as a function hall but the GHMC also demolished it considering it a plastic factory or godown causing damages worth 35 lakhs to him.
Other owner also complained that some were not even served the notice while some were served notices just 3 months ago. They held the local leaders responsible for the crackdown on whose identification the GHMC acted upon.
While the factory owners suffered heavy losses and the employment of many workers working in the units have suffered, the residents on the other hand say that local population is suffering from various diseases including cancer etc. due to air pollution and chemical waste.
Siasat news