...setting up of new plants restricted

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 19

The Haryana Sate Pollution Control Board has imposed restriction on establishing pyrolysis plants (for extracting fuel oil from waste rubber tyres) in the state till the study regarding effects caused on health and environment by such plants is completed.

A government spokesperson said the decision was taken in a meeting of the board. He said there are 82 plants in Jind, Bhiwani, Panchkula, Kaithal, Mahendragarh, Sonepat, Jhajjar, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Fatehabad, Hisar and Ambala districts.

“If proper control measures are not adopted, carbon particles emitted from the plants are harmful to the human respiratory system. People living in the vicinity of the plants have complained at the CM Window and to district administration that the plants cause air and water pollution. These concerns were discussed in the meeting,” the spokesperson said.

Haryana Pollution Control Board Chairman AK Kheterpal said that though general guidelines on permissible pollution levels exist, Haryana would be initiating the process of urging the Central Pollution Control Board to lay down specific criteria for such units.

“Accordingly, the Environment Department has been asked to get a study conducted through an agency with special emphasis on impact on health and environment, increase of levels of air pollution and citing criteria required for such plants,” he said.