Relocating polluting industries in Hyderabad

Context

Hyderabad is one of India’s industrial centres. On the one hand, industrialisation has helped boost the economy and has created many new jobs in the region. On the other hand, it has also brought significant negative impacts on the environment. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has classified approximately 5,000 industries as polluting, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, sponge iron, textiles, edible oil, foundries, and steel processing.

High population growth in Hyderabad (over 10 million inhabitants as of now) has led to a constant expansion of residential areas. Highly polluting industries are also located in the midst of residential areas. The high level of pollution primarily affects disadvantaged groups in society that cannot afford to move to less harmful areas.

Priority relocation of polluting industries is required by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Government of Telangana has already identified 27 potential locations for new industrial parks.

Objective

The Government of Telangana has implemented plans to relocate polluting industries to environmentally and climate-friendly, socially inclusive and gender-sensitive industrial parks.

Approach

The project supports the Government of Telangana in effectively managing the relocation of polluting industries in Hyderabad.

The key areas of intervention include:

• Creating necessary processes and framework conditions for the relocation of polluting industries to climate-friendly industrial parks. These focus on implementing and monitoring clearly defined actions that address the most pressing issues in the respective area.
• Providing practical guidance and support in developing the organisational capacities and professional skills of local actors.

The activities help to fulfil the requirements of the National Environmental Court in line with the latest industrial policy of the Government of Telangana.

Last update: July 2023