Article in Telugu Newspaper 

Five years since the night of the poison spill

» LG Polymers, a bitter memory that lingers

» 15 people died that day due to a poisonous gas leak

» Hundreds of people fell ill..

» Compensation not received by everyone

» Announcement of hospital construction that did not materialize

» Medical experts' reports are in the trash

Gopalapatnam, May 6 (Andhra Jyoti):

Five years ago on this day (May 7, 2020), an unexpected tragedy occurred in the city. 15 people (12 on the same day, three later) died due to a gas called styrene leaking from LG Polymers near Gopalapatnam. Hundreds of people were hospitalized. Thousands of people ran away from their homes with their lives in their hands. For three days, the city residents did not sleep a wink, wondering what would happen. Even five years later, when the tragedy is remembered, the people of Venkatapuram, as well as Nandamuri Nagar, Venkatadri Gardens, Janatha Colony, Padmanabha Nagar, SC, BC Colonies, and Kamparapalem Colony, which are near the factory, are terrified.

Gases emanating from tanks at Eli Polymers industry (file photo)

Compensation not received even today

The government announced a compensation of Rs. 1 crore each for those who died due to the poisonous gas and Rs. 10 thousand each for about 20 thousand people who were affected. However, although compensation of Rs. 1 crore was given to 12 people who died on the day of the accident, no help was received for the three who died within a week. Similarly, 180 people from Venkatapuram village have not received the compensation of Rs. 10 thousand even today.

Reports are in the basket

National Environment

Health problems are haunting us in the wake of the accident

Poisonous gas

When the leakage happened, all our family members fainted and were admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath. Health problems are still haunting us today. Steps should be taken to provide completely free treatment to the LT Polymers victims in corporate hospitals if they have any health problems.

•⁠  ⁠Illapu Lakshmi, Venkatapuram village

The National Engineering Research Institution (NEERI) has conducted research on the environment, groundwater, air pollution intensity and other issues in this area. A team of four doctors

Five years to the night of the poison spill

... page 5 continues

After a long investigation, it made several suggestions on the actions to be taken at the scene of the accident. It said that because of the risk of long-term health problems due to the effects of styrene, frequent tests should be conducted and medical services should be provided to them. However, no action was taken on relief measures.

Construction of a waterlogged hospital is proposed

Research by experts has shown that victims are more likely to develop chronic diseases as well as other health problems. In this order, the leaders of the previous government promised to build a multi-specialty hospital in Venkatapuram village but it was not fulfilled.

When the coalition came to power...

After the coalition government came to power, LT Chemicals was restarted in Sricity, Chittoor. About 20 of them belong to Venkatapuram village

Job opportunities have been provided to people. Apart from this, about Rs.60 crores compensation has been given to the victims of LG.

Compensation should be given to the victims

•⁠  ⁠N. Srinivasa Rao, Secretary of Victims Association

The previous government failed to provide compensation to the victims of the LG poisoning incident. The victims of the village were ignored and compensation was given to them for political gain in many parts of Gopalapatnam. Now, five years after the incident, 180 people belonging to 38 families of the village have not yet received compensation. Along with that Rs.10 thousand, the financial assistance provided by LG company should be given to those families.