Illegal plastic, dyeing units thrive in Bahadurgarh with local support

Illegal plastic reprocessing, washing, melting and jeans dyeing units are thriving in Bahadurgarh with the active support of local residents, despite lacking mandatory approvals. Most operators hail from Delhi and run their businesses from rented premises, violating pollution control norms and misusing domestic electricity connections for industrial purposes.

An analysis of 139 such units revealed the scale of the problem. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has taken action against all of them in the past year, shutting down around 80 so far. The process of closing the rest is ongoing.

“Following the strict enforcement against polluting units in Delhi, many individuals have started looking for alternative locations in neighbouring Bahadurgarh to operate such units without fulfilling the mandatory legal requirements. Local residents often do not hesitate to facilitate these operations, driven by the incentive of renting out their spaces. Alarmingly, electricity connections meant for domestic use are being misused to power these illegal operations,” an HSPCB official said, requesting anonymity.

He added that during raids in the past year, illegal units were found in Bihar Colony, Parnala, Nizampur Road, Bamdoli, Netaji Nagar, Krishna Nagar and Chhotu Ram Nagar. Most were discharging liquid waste directly into stormwater drains, posing serious environmental hazards.

Shailendra Arora, Regional Officer, HSPCB Bahadurgarh, said the units usually start small and go unnoticed. “Regular inspections are now being conducted in these localities, leading to the identification of a significant number of such illegal units in recent months,” he said.

Explaining the legal requirements, Arora said, “The reprocessing, melting and washing of plastic items are strictly prohibited without adhering to all pollution control guidelines. Units are required to undergo a verification process and install the necessary machinery before they can legally operate. However, many individuals start these units illegally on a low budget, without authorised machinery or legal formalities. Most of the unit owners are originally from Delhi and have rented space in Bahadurgarh to run these operations.”

He further stressed that preventing such activities also falls under the responsibility of the Panchayat Department and Urban Local Bodies. “They have been requested to conduct regular surveys to help curb the functioning of these unauthorised facilities,” he said.

Besides the 139 units, action has also been initiated against 13 PVC godowns.