Pollution Control Board raids chemical factory in Dera Bassi

Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, March 18

Tightening a noose around those violating norms, a team of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) raided the premises of a chemical factory at Bhagwas village near here. The team found the unit allegedly discharging waste directly into the ground.

The PPCBteam swung into action after a few farmers brought the matter to the notice of the board officials.

The team raided the godown of Saurabh Chemical Factory at Bhagwas village and collected samples of effluents being discharged into the ground.

“We received information that chemical waste was being discharge directly into the ground. They were caught red-handed at Bhagwas village. The driver of the JCB machine also fled from the spot,” the XEN said.

He stated that they had already submitted a report to the Punjab Pollution Control Board officials in Patiala about the chemical waste being discharged into the ground near the godown area by the factory.

On asking if the factory faces any closure, he said it was up to higher officials to decide whether to seal the unit or issue a challan or let them off with a warning. He said no industrial waste could be dumped at the site.

Residents alleged that these industrial units in Dera Bassi are disposing hazardous chemical waste into pits up to 100-feet deep resulting in contaminating water supply in the area.

Though Punjab Pollution Control Board officials have been claiming that effluent treatment plants in industrial units were made mandatory and they were using them as well, according to sources some of the erring units are still dumping harmful waste into the ground.

“If these units are found discharging chemical waste into pits, we will take strict punitive action against them”, said an Official preferring anonymity.

Meanwhile, officials of the factory unit could be contacted.