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Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Telangana sees growth in e-waste processing, ranks second in country
1 2 Hyderabad: For the first time, Telangana's electronic waste has crossed the 1 lakh metric tonne (MT) mark, positioning the state as the third-largest contributor in the country, after Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Interestingly, Telangana ranked second in terms of e-waste processing growth, behind only Uttar Pradesh. According to the data shared in Lok Sabha by the ministry of environment, forest and climate, the state witnessed an increase of 53,961 MT of e-waste processing in 2024-25, up from 65,226 MT in 2023-24 to 1,19,187 MT. Of the nation's total e-waste processing capacity of 13.97 MT, Telangana accounts for 8.5%. Since 2021-22, the state recorded a threefold increase in e-waste processing, from 42,297 MT in 2021-22 to 1.19 lakh MT during the previous fiscal year. This progress is particularly notable given that Telangana operates with just 19 recycling centres, compared to states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, which have nearly three times as many facilities. The majority of Telangana's e-waste recycling centres are in Greater Hyderabad. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad According to Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) officials, this significant increase in e-waste processing is largely due to the active participation of IT firms in e-waste management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Balai Ahad: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Rising e-waste was also attributed to the manufacturing sector, with several mobile manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and original design manufacturers setting up shop in the state. "Following the implementation of Telangana's e-waste policy, the state has seen significant success in e-waste processing. The initiative attracted many investors keen on establishing recycling facilities. Recently, we granted approval for three additional recycling plants, supplementing the current network of 19 operational facilities," said a senior environment engineer in TGPCB. The environment ministry said that an online E-Waste EPR portal has been developed by CPCB, wherein entities such as producers, manufacturers, recyclers, and refurbishers of e-waste are required to register. To increase consumer participation in e-waste management, the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, mandate registered producers and recyclers to raise awareness. Consumers are regularly made aware of proper ways of e-waste disposal and are encouraged to hand over e-waste only to registered producers, refurbishers, or recyclers.
New Indian Express
30-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Telangana issues eco-friendly guidelines for Ganesh Chaturthi to curb water pollution
HYDERABAD: Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), in coordination with the CPCB, has issued revised guidelines aimed at promoting environmentally responsible festivities. The festival is set to begin on August 27. The CPCB has advised people to only use eco-friendly idols made from natural clay and replace the commonly used PoP and other non-biodegradable materials. Decorations should be done with biodegradable and organic colours such as sandalwood (chandan), turmeric and red ochre (gerua) to reduce chemical contamination of water bodies. Local authorities have been instructed to create and maintain temporary artificial ponds or immersion tanks throughout the immersion period. These tanks should be regularly treated with alum or lime to neutralise any stagnated wastewater. TGPCB has appealed to citizens, idol makers, puja pandals, and vendors to follow the new guidelines and support eco-conscious celebrations. 'These efforts are essential to protect and restore rivers, lakes, and other water bodies while improving water quality. The board will closely monitor the implementation of the guidelines along with local authorities and enforcement agencies,' officials from the PCB said.
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Several complaints on illegal sand mining but none made to TGPCB: Centre
HYDERABAD: Despite persistent complaints by locals living in the Godavari river basin area about illegal sand mining, not a single formal complaint has been lodged with the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), the Centre informed Parliament on Monday. In a reply to a starred question raised by Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that there is no record of any complaint regarding illegal sand mining along the Godavari riverbank in the erstwhile Warangal district. It also confirmed that no specific study has been undertaken by the inistry on the environmental impact of such mining in the region. The ministry clarified that the regulation and monitoring of minor minerals such as sand fall under the purview of state governments as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. While the Centre has issued various guidelines, including the Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines (2016) and Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining (2020), their implementation is the responsibility of the states.
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
PCB data reveals Telangana recycles fraction of e-waste capacity
HYDERABAD: Telangana has approved 21 e-waste recyclers and two refurbishers with a combined capacity of over 3.6 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA). Yet in 2023–24, only 64,635.56 tonnes were formally collected via the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal, data from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) revealed. Of this, 24,497.67 metric tonnes of recoverable metals like iron, copper, aluminium and gold were extracted, while another 24,433.03 MT was classified as miscellaneous waste. The wide gap between processing capacity and actual inflow reflects systemic issues: underreporting, poor enforcement and the dominance of informal recycling networks. 'Our data doesn't match what's happening on the ground,' said Asha Reddy, an environmental science researcher. 'We need stringent audits, not just registrations.' National figures echo the pattern. In 2021–22, India's 567 authorised dismantlers across 22 states had a combined capacity of over 17 lakh TPA, but processed just 5.27 lakh tonnes. Telangana led the formal collection effort, processing 42,297.68 tonnes, well ahead of Maharashtra (18,559 tonnes) and Delhi (2,130.79 tonnes). The state also ranks third in plastic e-waste generation, contributing 12.68% to the national total, behind Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Sigachi blast is deadliest industrial accident to occur in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad: The dryer explosion at Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram, which killed over 35 workers and injured dozens, stands as the deadliest industrial accident in the history of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and among the worst in India's chemical sector. In past five years, the two states have witnessed several fatal explosions in chemical and pharma manufacturing units. The last major incident took place on August 21, 2024, when 17 workers died and more than 35 were injured in a massive explosion at Escientia Pharma in the Atchutapuram SEZ of Andhra Pradesh. Months before that, in April 2024, four people died and 16 others were injured in an explosion at SB Organics in Sangareddy, Telangana. A hot oil jacket leaked into the reactor, causing a blast. 'The common thread in all these incidents is poor maintenance, unqualified staff, and a complete absence of documented safety protocols,' said K Babu Rao, a retired CSIR scientist who tracked industrial violations in the region for over three decades. 'Serious fallout like FIRs, compensation packages, and inquiry committees follow each explosion, but no one attempts to address the root causes.' You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Given the spate of fatal accidents, experts have renewed calls to revive a long-delayed plan to form a joint inspection committee tasked with monitoring safety in industrial belts. Proposed in 2023 after repeated complaints from residents near such facilities, 'The committee was meant to include officials from the Inspector of Factories, Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), and other relevant departments. The committee was never formed. The plan was shelved after the member secretary was transferred,' confirmed a TGPCB official. Meanwhile, environmentalists who have been flagging concerns about industrial zones like Pashamylaram and Patancheru since the 1990s have reiterated their demand to shift hazardous units away from residential areas. 'What's missing is enforcement,' said structural engineer SP Anchuri. 'Under the Factories Act, hazardous units are required to conduct periodic risk assessments, install emergency relief systems, and train staff in chemical safety. But most skip drills, fudge documents, and continue hiring under-qualified contract workers.' He added that the Hazardous Chemicals Rules also mandate both on-site and off-site emergency plans and temperature control systems, 'but who checks if those exist or are ever updated?' Fire auditor C Andrew, who audited multiple chemical units over 45 years, stressed the need for modern fire suppression systems such as aerosol suspension and blanketing. 'Most of these plants are decades old. There must be third-party safety audits every year. Newer facilities should adopt compartmentalisation, solvent storage and electrical panels must be on separate floors. That alone could prevent tragedies like these. ' ................ Industrial accidents in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh in past 5 years: August 2024: Escientia Pharma, Atchutapuram: MTBE vapour leaked during reactor operations & ignited on contact with an electrical panel, killing 17 & injuring over 35 during lunch hour April 2024: SB Organics, Sangareddy: A hot oil jacket leaked into a reactor causing a violent blast; 4 workers died & 16 injured. The plant had no cooling system or trained staff July 2024: Vasant Chemicals, Atchutapuram: A benzophenone reactor exploded due to suspected thermal or pressure failure, killing a contract worker May 2020: LG Polymers, Visakhapatnam: Styrene gas leak from a failed refrigeration system created a toxic cloud, killing 11 & hospitalising hundreds; thousands exposed May 2020: Biofuel Plant, Zaheerabad: A reactor exploded during welding repair due to flammable gas in the tank, killing 2 workers & injuring 1 August 2022: Hindys Labs, Nalgonda: A reactor exploded during batch processing, killing 1 & injuring 6; this was the fourth such incident at the unit in two years June 2022: Gowliguda, Hyderabad: Residual resin reacted with water during tank cleaning, causing a chemical blast that killed 1 worker & injured 2 Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
