TGPCB Orders Closure of Aster Industries in Kondamadugu Over Drug Manufacturing

The Telangana Pollution Control Board has ordered the immediate closure of Aster Industries Ltd at Kondamadugu in Bibinagar mandal of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district. The action was taken after police allegedly uncovered the illegal manufacture of mephedrone at the premises under the name of Vetukuri Labs and seized 27.2 kg of the banned drug valued at approximately Rs 53 crore.

The closure order, issued on August 17, came nine days after Bibinagar police intercepted a Fortuner vehicle that was allegedly transporting the seized narcotics from the facility to Nagpur. Alongside the shutdown notice, the TGPCB directed the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited to disconnect the power supply to the bulk drug intermediates manufacturing unit with immediate effect.

According to the pollution board, Aster Industries was operating without a valid Consent for Operation and Hazardous Waste Authorisation, after its previous authorisation had expired and its renewal application had been returned.

TGPCB officials conducted inspections at the Kondamadugu facility on June 27 and again on August 11 following the police intervention, identifying severe pollution-control failures. Key effluent management machinery, including the stripper, Multi-Effect Evaporator, and Agitated Thin Film Dryer, were found to be in a dilapidated state. Additionally, a two-stage scrubber installed for emission control was non-operational.

Inspectors also documented multiple environmental violations across the site. Effluents and raw materials were being kept in open drums, while hazardous waste was left exposed to the elements. The board further noted hazardous spillages and leakages, largely involving sodium methyl paraben, spreading onto adjoining land and surrounding storage areas.