A complaint was filed before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding environmental pollution in Telangana, alleging that despite government acknowledgment, effective measures to mitigate the crisis remained inadequate. The complaint also mentioned that fluoride contamination in Telangana’s groundwater had reached alarming levels.
After the NHRC’s direction, the District Collector, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, submitted an Action Taken Report stating that a comparative analysis of post-monsoon November 2024 and pre-monsoon May 2025 showed that the number of affected villages had increased by 9. The report submitted by the Director, Irrigation & CAD Department, mentioned that high fluoride concentrations in groundwater are commonly attributed to geogenic factors, such as weathering and leaching, rather than anthropogenic activities.
In proceedings dated 08-04-2026, NHRC refused to agree with the statement that “groundwater is inevitable at the source” and stated that fluoride in groundwater usually comes from natural rocks, but it is not always presents and depends on the specific local hydrogeological conditions, which NHRC said that the report failed to address. NHRC also found the report to be silent on measures taken to prevent the spread of fluoride contamination.
As the report was also found to be silent on medical surveillance of affected people and preventive healthcare measures among other things, NHRC directed the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Telangana, to submit an additional report within four weeks.
In the present proceedings, a letter dated 24-04-2026 was received from the Principal Secretary, General Administration (SPL (L&O)) Department, Government of Telangana, addressed to the Irrigation & CAD Department wherein it was requested to submit an additional report as the complainant had raised several issues regarding non-furnishing of village-wise coverage data, adequacy and quality monitoring of supplied water, last-mile connectivity, seasonal disruptions, reliance on contaminated borewells, and absence of details regarding medical surveillance, preventive healthcare, and awareness measures in fluoride-affected areas.
NHRC noted that no actual report had been received from the authority concerned and issued conditional summons directing personal appearance of the Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana before NHRC on 29-09-2026. However, it was stated that if the required additional report is submitted on or before 22-09-2026, his personal appearance would be dispensed with.