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   Edulabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

 Site Description
 Human Exposure & Health Impact
 Site Progress


Site Description 

Location & Size of Site
Edulabad is a small, rural village located 25 km from Hyderabad. Though it has no major industry of its own, it suffers from the effects of being downstream from a huge industrial estate in the nearby city of Patancheru, and on the banks of the polluted River Musi.

In 2000, the Hyderabad government built an 18-km pipeline to carry industrial effluents from Patancheru to a sewage treatment plant in Amberpet. The pipe runs through Edulabad's municipal sewer system, and it appears that much of the toxic effluents now get mingled with the village's sewage & water and simply run into the river from there. A freshwater fishing pond that was used by villagers for fishing and drinking has been poisoned beyond use.

There is an acute drinking water shortage in the village (villagers travel 20 km to fetch potable water), coupled with dangerous pollution levels in the River Musi. Effluents from the chemical, leather and liquor-manufacturing units in and around Patancheru have contaminated the river, the banks and other water sources.

Contaminant Type, Source & Quantity
Industrial waste suspected of containing heavy metals, organic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons are mixed with raw, untreated sewage and released into the local lake.

Number of Potentially Affected People
12,000 - 15,000

Health Impact of Pollutant
Anecdotal reports of skin blisters and itching among the villagers were reported by community leaders during the site visit.

Site Progress 

November 2004: Site reviewed by the Technical Advisory Board. It was decided that Blacksmith Institute would visit this site.

January 2005: Site visited by Blacksmith Institute. Analysis of the water of the lake and groundwater is to be conducted to determine if there is any significant threat to human health with the help of a local NGO and the Andhra Pradesh State Pollution Control Board.