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The Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park being set up by the Bhimavaram-based Ananda group, a leading shrimp processor and exporter, in the vicinity of the town in West Godavari district, has stirred up a controversy.
The project coming up at Tundurru village near Bhimavaram is facing opposition from the people from about two dozen villages.
Pollution fear They apprehend that the project, sanctioned by the Union Food Processing Ministry, will result in pollution of waters in the Gontheru canal and agriculture and fisheries would be affected. It is also feared that the groundwater may also be contaminated.
Film star and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan lent his support to the agitators and the local people last week, and from the beginning, the CPM has been supporting the stir. The YSR Congress has also extended support to the agitation, forcing the State government to issue a statement that the public opinion would be gathered on the project and all precautions would be taken to prevent pollution of waters in the vicinity of the project.
The Executive Director of the park, Ananda Varma, said there was really no basis for the misgivings over the project and there would be zero discharge. The water would be recycled and all the effluents would be treated and recycled.
“The park is being set up with the assistance of the Union Food Processing Ministry under the food park scheme. Pre-processing and processing facilities for shrimp and fish would be made available in the park and farmers can make use of them. There would be cold storage units in the park for storage of fish and shrimp. It would be of great help to aqua farmers,” he said.
However, activists are not convinced. “The Ananda group has other shrimp processing units and feed units near Bhimavaram and there also there are complaints of pollution,” says Suresh, an activist.
Project cost The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹125 crore and the group has already spent ₹20-25 croreover it, it is said. Therefore, it may not be possible to relocate it.
The State government is trying to limit the political damage, and push the project through with stringent pollution control measures.
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