The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recommended setting up a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) for small- and medium-scale industrial units along the Eloor-Edayar stretch of the Periyar.
The Kerala government and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) may further explore the possibility of setting up a CETP for small- and medium-scale industries in the region, it said in a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal on January 9, 2025.
The Southern Bench of the tribunal had asked the Central board to inquire into conflicting reports submitted by the KSPCB and the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) on the mass fish kill in the region in May 2024.
Of the total 75 effluent-generating industries in the region, nearly 67 figured under the medium- and small-scale category. These industries generated around 0.37 million litres of effluents a day. They are reportedly discharging the effluents into a soak pit for irrigation after treatment, according to the report.
Though some of the major effluent-generating industries in the region had evinced interest in the CETP, small- and medium-scale units had informed the Ernakulam District Industries Centre earlier that they would not be able to share the huge project cost for setting up the facility. It would be difficult to source funds, if the cost had to be met by small- and medium-scale units alone, it said.
The CPCB has pointed out that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure the rejuvenation of polluted rivers, including the Periyar, in a time-bound manner. A regular review of the progress of implementation of action plans had to be made at the State level in line with the review by the Central Monitoring Committee set up under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, it said.
Published - February 05, 2025 08:14 pm IST
