TGPCB orders closure of Sriven Pharmachem unit for illegal hazardous waste dumping
HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has ordered the closure of Sriven Pharmachem for alleged illegal dumping and unauthorised storage of hazardous waste at its leased premises in the TSIIC Industrial Estate, Bhongir, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district.
The closure order, issued on October 22, 2025, cites violations of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, as amended by Act 53 of 1988. The Board found that the company, headed by director Rudraraju Suryanarayana Raju, was operating without mandatory Consent for Establishment (CFE) and Consent for Operation (CFO), and had stored hazardous chemicals and spent solvents in open areas.
Illegal waste dumping detected
The matter came to light after the Addagudur police informed the PCB on August 15, 2025, about illegal dumping of industrial hazardous waste near Kanchanapalle village along the Valigonda–Thorrur Road. Board officials inspected the site and collected composite samples, which were sent to the Central Laboratory in Hyderabad for analysis.
Subsequent inspections on August 30, 2025, at the Bhongir unit revealed that large quantities of hazardous waste and chemicals, including isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, acetic acid, and other organic residues were stored in drums and damaged bags without flooring or protective measures. Officials noted seepage of waste into the soil and lack of records on storage and transportation.
Link between dumped and stored waste
Inspectors observed that the polypropylene (PPE) bags found at the illegal dump sites matched those seen at the company’s premises, suggesting a possible link between the two. Around 100 tonnes of waste were reportedly stored on-site.
The company, however, denied involvement, stating in its September 15, 2025, reply to a show-cause notice that similar PPE bags were used by several industries and that it had not disposed of any hazardous waste.
Hearing before task force
A follow-up inspection on September 1, 2025, identified markings on several dumped bags that indicated they were approved for other pharmaceutical firms such as Aurobindo and Apitoria Unit-I. The TGPCB later directed TSDF Dundigal to remove and safely dispose of about 30 tonnes of the collected hazardous waste from eight affected sites.
Representatives of Sriven Pharmachem, Swastik Chemicals (the lessor), Aurobindo, Apitoria, and the Regional Officer of Nalgonda appeared before the Board’s Task Force Committee on October 17, 2025, before the closure order was finalised.
