Over 400 industries fall foul of pollution norms in Karnataka

BENGALURU: A recent inspection drive by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has found that over 400 water and oil-based industries in the state, most of them in Bengaluru, are not adhering to pollution control norms. These are small scale industries, including electroplating, cloth dying and washing, power coating, among others that release harmful chemicals.
Manoj Kumar, member-secretary, KSPCB told TOI as per waste management norms and a memorandum of understanding signed by these industrial units, water or oil-based industries have to send effluents to common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) set up in industrial clusters. “During our inspection, we found that about 30% to 40% of the industries are not adhering to norms. There are cases where industries haven’t even sent one litre of effluents to the treatment plant,” he added.

Manoj said most such industries are located in Bengaluru and spread across industrial clusters. “We have issued notices to many of them. If they don’t comply with the norms as early as possible, criminal cases will be booked against them. Also, hefty penalty will be levied on them under the polluter pays principle,” he added.
Dinakar K, an environmentalist, said such gross violation means the city’s stormwater drains and water bodies are bearing the brunt. “Non-adherence to pollution control norms means these industries are letting harmful effluents directly into nearby drains or disposing them of in other unscientific ways. This is one reason why our storm water drains have turned into waste pools and lakes spew froth and fire,” he added.
A senior KSPCB official said there are 10 CETPs in and around Bengaluru, which take effluents from water and oil-based industries. “They are located in places like Malur in Kolar, Doddaballapur, Veerasandra industrial estate along Hosur Road, one along Tumakuru Road and another along Mysuru Road,” he added.