Residents of Manikonda Municipality are reeling under severe dust and pollution caused by a massive concrete mixing unit allegedly set up by construction company “Team Four” after encroaching upon the historic Bulkampur Nala near the Beerappa Temple area. The unit has become a major source of distress for locals, who complain that continuous dust, debris, and relentless movement of heavy tippers and trucks have turned the locality into a nightmare. Despite repeated complaints, officials have allegedly failed to act, prompting residents to accuse authorities of negligence and corruption.

The air pollution from the Team Four concrete unit has severely affected public health in the area. Locals, especially children and the elderly, are reportedly suffering from respiratory illnesses due to constant exposure to dust and smoke. The situation has worsened as hundreds of heavy trucks and tippers move daily to and from the site, leaving the roads full of potholes and making commuting extremely difficult.

Adding to the concern, a nearby 11 kV electricity substation faces serious safety risks as heavy vehicles frequently pass over underground power cables. Officials from the electricity department have reportedly been forced to conduct frequent repairs. Just last week, a short circuit occurred due to the same issue but averted a major disaster thanks to timely intervention by staff. Complaints made to electricity officials have yielded no response, locals said.

Residents allege that the company has encroached on the Nala right before the eyes of local authorities. Despite multiple complaints to the Revenue, Municipality, and Irrigation Departments — and even to Hyderabad Commissioner Ranganath — officials have merely conducted perfunctory visits without taking any visible action.

The role of the Pollution Control Board has also come under scrutiny. When a Metro India correspondent tried to contact the local PCB officer for clarification, the officer reportedly failed to respond. Residents claim this silence reveals the undue influence and favoritism that “Team Four” allegedly enjoys among officials.

Locals suspect that officials are turning a blind eye in exchange for “mamools” (kickbacks). According to residents, about 10 kilometers of the 55-kilometer-long Bulkampur Nala has already been encroached upon. They demand immediate intervention from higher authorities to verify the company’s permissions and dismantle the illegal mixing unit before further environmental damage occurs.

MRPS leader Dappu Arjun stated that the historic Bulkampur Nala must be protected from encroachers. He urged authorities to act swiftly and dismantle illegal structures that are endangering public lives. If the government fails to respond, he warned, a public movement will become inevitable. When contacted, Manikonda Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Kumar said the permissions of Team Four would be examined and assured that steps would be taken to ensure no inconvenience to the public. He added that notices would be issued to the company immediately and legal action initiated if violations are confirmed.