Surat.A serious complaint has been filed against Credence Ecofiber Pvt. Ltd. for allegedly dumping hazardous chemical waste near Vareth village in Mandvi taluka of Surat district, causing severe environmental pollution and health problems for local residents.

The representation was submitted to the Surat District Collector and the Regional Officer of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) by Darshankumar A. Nayak, General Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, demanding immediate investigation, resolution, and strict action against the responsible company.

Vareth is a small village of around 3,000 residents, primarily dependent on farming and animal husbandry. Despite their peaceful nature and regular tax compliance, villagers are now facing grave living conditions due to industrial pollution and neglect of basic amenities.

Residents claim that repeated appeals to the village panchayat and local administration have gone unheard, leaving their lives increasingly difficult.

According to the complaint, Credence Ecofiber Pvt. Ltd., located in nearby Molvan village, has been dumping chemically contaminated waste on both sides of the approach road leading into Vareth. The chemical sludge has reportedly spread so extensively that the asphalt road is barely visible.

The situation has led to numerous health problems among villagers, including skin infections, respiratory illnesses, and digestive disorders.

Adding to the misery, Vareth has not received a proper paved road for over 15 years. The only functional road — used mainly by the Halpati and Mahyavanshi communities — has now become nearly impassable due to the chemical waste dumped by the company.

This has severely affected the transportation of agricultural goods, livestock, and daily necessities, worsening the economic condition of the community.

Local residents and leaders have repeatedly lodged complaints with the village sarpanch, and even raised the issue during official government programs. However, no effective action has been taken so far.

The petition demands that the dumping activity be stopped immediately, and that Credence Ecofiber Pvt. Ltd. be investigated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It also calls for a review of the company’s Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions and GPCB inspection reports to determine compliance violations.