Power to 11 firms snapped for violating anti-pollution norms

GURUGRAM: The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) on Friday came down heavily on errant industrial houses in the district, as it disconnected the power supply to 11 such units and sealed eight of them for flouting pollution control norms. The same units were sealed by HSPCB in the past also for various violations under the Water Act.
Officials said a special team was formed by the board to carry out an undercover operation. And when the team inspected the premises of these 11 units, it found that many of them were throwing untreated sewage into the drain, while others didn’t even have the consent to operate (CTO). All the units are located in Bhondsi and Bajehra.

Kuldeep Singh, regional officer, HSPCB (north), told TOI, “During the undercover operation we found the industrial units were not following the pollution control guidelines. Shockingly, these units were sealed earlier also but they were still carrying out operations illegally. So, we immediately disconnected the power connection to all the 11 units and eight of them were sealed again,” he added.

According to officials, all industrial units are required to obtain CTE (consent to establish) and CTO from the state pollution control board. Also, it is mandatory for industrial units to install effluent treatment plants and maintain them regularly. No industrial unit is allowed to discharge the effluent directly or indirectly into the drain, as the untreated waste flows down to the Najafgarh drain and ultimately into the Yamuna.

“It is mandatory for the industrial units to install a sewage treatment plant (STP). The industries have to ensure proper maintenance of the plant and make sure that all parameters are within the prescribed standards. Also, installation of all requisite monitoring devices such as PH meters, flow meters, energy meters on the STP are required as per the guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board,” said Singh.

Activists, on the other hand, say most industrial units are not following the norms.

RTI activist Aseem Takyar, also an industrialist, said, “I am surprised that the HSPCB targeted only 11 units. At least 90% industries in Gurugram are not having a functional effluent treatment plant. It is because of the high maintenance cost of the plant. There are four filters in the plant that need to be cleaned and replaced regularly. However, most industries don’t do so and let the untreated waste go down the drain. Regular inspections by HSPCB can only help in improving the situation.”