The Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA) has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to lift the ban on expansion of production capacities of pharma units in the state as most of the pharma units have installed most modern and sophisticated effluent treatment equipments within their premises.


“The conditions prevailing during 1996 were totally different now, as everybody has got awareness and installed most modern and sophisticated effluent treatment equipment within their own premises. Out of 90 US FDA approved companies in the country, about 46 of them are from Andhra Pradesh. It shows most of the companies in the state are adhering to strict environment norms that are globally approved. This itself reflects the present industrial scenario and therefore there is no need for the government to cling on to the same old policy,” said K V Ranga Rao, executive director, BDMA.


“If the situation is further prolonged, it is for sure that the industry will suffer further and over more than 2 lakh employees will come on to the roads. It is already too late, and most of the new investors have shifted their bases to other states,” Rao said. In view of significant improvements made by the pharma industries over a period of 12 to 14 years since 1999, it is not justifiable for the government to extend ban on expansion of production capacities in the state, he said.


There is an urgent need to review the earlier policy and the government should continuously examine the present status position and recall the G.O. Ms. No. 59, which was issued way back 14 years ago by environment, forest, science and Technology (ENV) department of Andhra Pradesh which is no way relevant in the present circumstances, he said.


Every pharma manufacturer is binding to restrict the pollution load within the stipulated 2100 Mg/liter for TDS and 5000Mg/liter to 3000Mg/liter for COD.

In view of APPCB conditions and courts stipulations, the member industries are meeting the necessary pollution control norms by installing latest and advanced developments and have carried out considerable improvements. The overall treatment efficiency at many industries has increased. To further enhance the capacities of Effluent treatment plants, as a part of government’s role, the state government had invested Rs.24 crores in the up gradation of PETL, Patancheru and JETL, Jeedimetla in addition to their investment of Rs.10 crores each.


To meet the pollution control norms, the industry has taken several measures like modernization of the existing units by implementing modern manufacturing process technologies, de bottle-necking; outsourcing Bulk Drug intermediates culminating to decrease in production steps and thus pollution loads; improving the treatment facilities of waste water, air pollution, solid waste etc; and reusing of treated waste water and adopting zero liquid discharge in some units by evaporation of Effluents containing very high TDS levels by using multiple effect evaporators, ATFD and reverse Osmosis Plants etc.


The industry has also been sending hazardous waste for disposal into TSDFs and cement industries regularly and discharging the treated effluents by Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) into the 18 km sewage pipeline by PETL, Patancheru and also to JETL, Jeedimetla through another already existing pipeline for further treatment and disposal at combined waste water treatment facility, Amberpet. Besides, the industry is adopting green technologies based on green chemistry whenever available.