Act against 65 units drawing groundwater, pollution board told

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, May 26

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to ensure action against 47 industrial units in Panipat, 13 industrial units in Sonepat and five in Faridabad for drawing groundwater without obtaining no-objection certificate (NOC). It has issued the directions on the basis of Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) reports.

In its order, the CPCB mentioned, “As per the CGWB report, 47 out of 55 units in Panipat, 13 of 34 in Sonepat and five of eight in Faridabad drawing groundwater have not even applied for obtaining the NOC.”

The CPCB directed the HSPCB under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, to ensure action against all defaulter units by imposing deterrent environmental compensation from the date of commissioning for the illegal drawl of water within 15 days, in addition to the action being taken by the CGWB through Deputy Commissioners (DCs).

The CPCB also directed the HSPCB that it should verify compliance to the conditions of the consent issued under the Water Act, 1974, in eight industrial units at Panipat and Sonepat and 38 units in Faridabad within 15 days.

Besides, the HSPCB should consider disposal of effluents of all industries located in Sonepat, Panipat and Faridabad through dedicated conveyance systems to the nearby existing common effluent treatment plants. The HSPCB should direct the municipal authorities in the three districts to reassess the quality of groundwater used for supply and to review its present policy for the renewal of consent as well as periodic inspection of the industries for compliance verification as directed by the NGT.

As per the matter, in 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered constitution of joint committees of the CPCB, CGWA and the district administrations concerned on two specific complaints regarding industrial pollution in Panipat, Sonepat and Faridabad, which is leading to groundwater pollution in the areas due to discharge of effluents.

Following the tribunal’s direction, the CPCB directed the HSPCB and the CGWB to file action taken report (ATR) by April 30.

On the basis of the ATR provided by the CGWB and the interim report by the HSPCB, the CPCB has issued directions to the HSPCB for compliance.

The CPCB also ordered submission of the compliance report within 15 days and the final ATR after completing all actions within a month, failing which action would be initiated under the provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The order

• In its order, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated, “As per the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) report, 47 out of 55 units in Panipat, 13 of 34 in Sonepat and five of eight in Faridabad drawing groundwater have not applied for obtaining the NOC.”

• It directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, to ensure action against all defaulter units by imposing deterrent environmental compensation from the date of commissioning for the illegal drawl of water within 15 days, in addition to the action being taken by the CGWB through Deputy Commissioners.