550 units, 93 brick-kilns in Panipat shut for 7 days

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, November 4

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has served notices on around 550 industrial units in the city, asking owners to shut their units for seven days — from November 4 to 10.

The order is in line with the directions from the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).

Following the EPCA direction the regional office of HSPCB has directed to shut all industrial units based on boiler and using bio-fuel.

Of the 550 units, 300 are dyeing units, 130 are blanket and bed sheet manufacturing units, and 45 are cupola furnace-based industries in Samalkha. Besides, 93 brick-kilns will be shut for a week.

The district administration has constituted teams to intensify patrolling during the night and impose fine on those burning garbage and causing air pollution.

As per an HSPCB report, air quality of the city has been poor for the past 15 days, as particulate matter (PM-10) was recorded between 250 and 350 micrograms per cubic metre.

Bhupender Singh Chahal, Regional Officer, HSPCB said if anyone was found violating the directions, he would be fined under the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Act.

Deputy Commissioner Sumedha Kataria said designated duty magistrates and officials of several departments had been directed to ensure compliance with the EPCA directions.