Over the last two years, the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has shown steady and meaningful progress in protecting the environment. TGPCB is a statutory body responsible for enforcing environmental laws and preventing air and water pollution. Behind the scenes, scientists, engineers, and staff of the PCB Board have worked with dedication to make Telangana a cleaner and healthier state. Today, 12,264 industries are under the consent and monitoring system of TGPCB. As per Central Pollution Control Board rules, industries are classified into Red, Orange, Green, and White categories, depending on how much pollution they may cause. Between January 2024 and October 2025, the Board issued 2,620 Consents for Establishment and 3,521 Consents for Operation, ensuring that industries follow pollution control rules before starting or continuing their work.

Monitoring has been strict and regular. Telangana has 2,193 water-polluting industries and 3,164 air-polluting industries. During the last two years, TGPCB collected and tested 7,966 effluent and hazardous waste samples and 3,807 air samples. When violations were found, the Board acted firmly. 2,069 industries were reviewed, 305 units were closed or stopped, and 1,234 industries were given directions to improve. Only after correction were 697 industries allowed to reopen. Bank guarantees worth ₹481.5 lakh were forfeited for non-compliance.

A major strength of TGPCB has been the 24/7 Online Monitoring Cell, which tracks pollution levels from 501 highly polluting industries in real time. 108 industries were reviewed by a Task Force Committee for crossing pollution limits. After the Praja Government came to power, Sr. IAS officer Mr. Krishna Aditya played a key role in strengthening the Board through a focused and strategic approach.

Later, following an administrative reshuffle, Mr. Guguloth Ravi took charge as Member Secretary. Coming from a humble background and with a strong understanding of nature’s value, he has carried forward reforms with renewed energy. Under the constant guidance of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy & respective Minister Konda Surekha, the PCB Board has achieved results that were rarely seen before. Transparency was further improved through computerised inspections, developed by the Centre for Good Governance. Using random inspections under Ease of Doing Business, 1,664 industries were inspected, and 324 cases were reviewed by the Task Force Committee.

TGPCB also strengthened waste management by supporting common effluent treatment plants, e-waste units, biomedical waste facilities, construction waste plants, and waste-to-energy projects with a total capacity of 62.5 MW. Online clearances, auto-renewals, and single-window services under TG-iPASS reduced delays while maintaining strict oversight. To stop illegal waste transport, GPS tracking was introduced for waste vehicles. 22 illegal tankers were seized during this period. Public awareness also remained a priority.

To promote eco-friendly festivals, TGPCB distributed 2.35 lakh clay Ganesh idols in 2024 and 3.31 lakh in 2025. Industries were encouraged to adopt solar power, maintain 33% greenbelt, and shift to cleaner fuels like CNG and LPG. Plans are also underway to shift 1,362 polluting industries outside the Outer Ring Road, with TSIIC identifying new locations. Together, these steps show that TGPCB is not just regulating industries, but quietly building a cleaner, greener, and more responsible Telangana.

The efforts were possible under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Forest and Environment Minister Konda Surekha, Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, and TGPCB Member Secretary Guguloth Ravi.

(Sagar Vanaparthi is a policy analyst)