NGT slaps Rs 10 crore penalty on Vapi’s CETP operator

Surat: The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, on Friday slapped Rs 10 crore cost on the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) operated by Vapi Green Enviro Limited (VGEL) in Vapi GIDC area for violating the inlet norms.
Surat-based Aryavrat Foundation, an NGO working for environment protection had filed a complaint against the CETP operated by VGEL last year for the non-compliance of the inlet norms of CETP by the member industries.

Talking with TOI, president of Aryavrat Foundation, AR Mishra said, “The VGEL has been asked to pay cost of Rs 10 crore for violating the CETP inlet norms. The VGEL will have to deposit the amount within one month to the CPCB.”

According to Mishra, the member industries are discharging the effluent in GIDC underground drainage system which leads to CETP. It is the duty of the VGEL to ensure that the member industries discharging the effluent meet the inlet norms of CETP. In case of non-compliance, the list of such industrial units should be provided to GPCB for necessary action against such units.

Mishra added, “The NGT’s principal bench has also ordered to form a five-member committee to penalise the defaulting units flouting the inlet norms of the CETP. The fine amount may range from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh.”

When contacted, president of Vapi Industries Association (VIA), Prakash Bhadra told TOI, “It’s an interim penalty slapped by NGT on VGEL. We are planning to challenge the NGT order in the Supreme Court in the coming days. VEGL is operating one of the best CETP in Gujarat where our COD level is well within the permissible limit prescribed by the CPCB.”

Bhadra added, “Time and again we have taken action against the defaulter industries discharging waste in the drainage. We will now compile the list of such defaulters and provide it to the CPCB for further action.”