Shift Base Beyond ORR By 2017: KTR To Industries

Telangana Industries & Commerce Minister K T Rama Rao gave an ultimatum to the pharmaceutical companies and other industrial plants in and around Hyderabad and Secunderabad to shift base beyond the Outer Ring Road by 2017, in order to combat the city's rising pollution levels.

"The Telangana government plans to shift as many as 1,068 industrial plants, which are likely responsible for the hike in pollution levels in the twin cities, by the end of 2017. Steps will be taken to shift them to outside the ORR. We will offer special incentives to industrial plants that comply," KTR said.

At a meeting with the representatives of some of these companies, KTR said that the government had taken a decision to free the twin cities from toxic emissions. "We will hold a special meeting with the owners of these industrial plants in the city to pursuade them to move out in order to bring pollution levels down," he said.

In first phase, as many as 1,068 companies are likely to be shifted beyond the ORR, and will be offered lands suitable for production without having to disturb the people and nature.