To check the untreated waste water containing highly toxic and hazardous chemicals being discharged in the rivers and canals, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has ordered to close more than 150 industries who were intentionally violating the pollution control norms and operating in Jalandhar and Ludhiana .
Mr Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board today said that the step was taken after observing lack of will, commitment and the lukewarm response from these units regarding controlling the pollution. In Jalandhar, PPCB ordered closure of 35 electroplating and 9 bag tanning units. One tannery in the Leather Complex was also ordered to be closed.
In Ludhiana, PPCB ordered closure of 130 units, which include 20 dyeing, 50 electroplating, 42 acid pickling and 18 other miscellaneous units. The PPCB claimed that by closing these industries, around 2100 kilolitre of polluted effluent have been prevented to enter Hariake wet land.
The PPCB initiated action against these industries, under the Water Act, 1974. These industries were violating the pollution control norms and operating without effluent treatment plants. These industries were served notices under section 33-A of Water Act, 1974 and were given show cause notices why these units may not be closed.
As their untreated waste water containing highly toxic and hazardous chemicals was being discharged into the sewer leading to Kali Bein in Jalandhar and Budha Nala in Ludhiana which join the Sutlej. This wastewater enters Hariake wet land. The Satluj is one of the drinking water sources for Ferozpur, Muktsar, Mansa and part of Bathinda districts. This step has been taken after complaints received from the residents.
Posted By Staff Reporter
in Punjab News
0 comments