GURUGRAM: Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) on Friday ordered the closure of all polluting industries in the state in line with National Green Tribunal's (NGT) ban on all emission-causing industrial activities in Delhi-NCR till November 14. City-based industrialists, however, said an abrupt shutdown will cause them immense financial loss.
As per NGT's directions, all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which release emission will not be carried out till the next date of hearing, the HSPCB said in its order.
Jai Bhagwan, regional officer of HSPCB told TOI, "We have given strict instructions to all industrial bodies that release any kind of air emission to remain closed till November 14. We will also submit a compliance report with the green court. Further directions will be given as per the orders of NGT and will be communicated to the industry."
However, industrialists have demanded immediate withdrawal of the order, saying it will not only affect them financially but also affect the livelihood of about 2.27 lakh labourers in Gurgaon. There are over 2,000 industrial units in Gurgaon and Manesar region.
"We understand that combating air pollution is important and it poses threat to everybody's health. However, why should industrial units suffer because of the administrative failure to control stubble burning which is a major cause of air pollution in Delhi-NCR?" said Vikas Jain, president of Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Some industrialists even described the order as "a knee-jerk reaction" and said they needed at least five to six days to implement the shutdown as a four-day closure could lead to a loss of over Rs 1,000 crore.
"I just can't stop operations of boilers as the entire process will be stopped. I have a foreign consignment to deliver, failing which I may have to shut my business. Over 7,000 daily wagers will go unemployed. We demand at least five days to bring the process to a complete halt," said an industrialist, who didn't wish to be named.
"The industry is already suffering so much. Many have perishable items and continuous product manufacturing processes that can't be stopped like this. There are many industries in Gurgaon and Manesar that export products. Delay of a few minutes in supplying the end product leads to heavy penalties by foreign contractors," Jain added.
As per NGT's directions, all industrial activities in Delhi-NCR which release emission will not be carried out till the next date of hearing, the HSPCB said in its order.
Jai Bhagwan, regional officer of HSPCB told TOI, "We have given strict instructions to all industrial bodies that release any kind of air emission to remain closed till November 14. We will also submit a compliance report with the green court. Further directions will be given as per the orders of NGT and will be communicated to the industry."
However, industrialists have demanded immediate withdrawal of the order, saying it will not only affect them financially but also affect the livelihood of about 2.27 lakh labourers in Gurgaon. There are over 2,000 industrial units in Gurgaon and Manesar region.
"We understand that combating air pollution is important and it poses threat to everybody's health. However, why should industrial units suffer because of the administrative failure to control stubble burning which is a major cause of air pollution in Delhi-NCR?" said Vikas Jain, president of Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Some industrialists even described the order as "a knee-jerk reaction" and said they needed at least five to six days to implement the shutdown as a four-day closure could lead to a loss of over Rs 1,000 crore.
"I just can't stop operations of boilers as the entire process will be stopped. I have a foreign consignment to deliver, failing which I may have to shut my business. Over 7,000 daily wagers will go unemployed. We demand at least five days to bring the process to a complete halt," said an industrialist, who didn't wish to be named.
"The industry is already suffering so much. Many have perishable items and continuous product manufacturing processes that can't be stopped like this. There are many industries in Gurgaon and Manesar that export products. Delay of a few minutes in supplying the end product leads to heavy penalties by foreign contractors," Jain added.
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