Industrialists using tractor owners to discharge effluents into drain; 27 booked

The Chief Minister Flying Squad has unearthed a nexus of industrialists and tractor owners allegedly involved in discharging untreated effluent into Drain No. 2, leading to the Yamuna.

The squad caught 13 tankers on the spot. Cases were registered against 27 people, including seven factory owners, under various sections of BNS at Sanoli police station.

Drain No. 2 flows into the Yamuna at the Khojkipur point here. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has been collecting water samples regularly, which have failed tests.

The surprise inspection was carried out jointly by the squad and HSPCB officials on Thursday midnight.

In a complaint to the police, SI Raj Singh of the squad said the team inspected the drain area near Kurar village and found 13 tractor tankers there. Some tankers were discharging chemical effluent into the drain. The tractors have been seized and 12 drivers have been nabbed. One of the drivers managed to flee.

During preliminary investigation, the drivers revealed that the tractor owners had "deputed" the tractors at factories in Kurar, Chhajpur and Jalalpur, and they were assigned to bring the untreated effluent of the factories for discharge into the drain at night.

The drivers also revealed the names of the industries, the complainant said.

The police have registered a case against 27 persons under Sections 223 (B), 270, 271 and 272, BNS.

The tractors and tankers have been handed over to the RTA, Panipat, which has imposed a fine of Rs 3.25 lakh on the tractor owners.

Shivendra Singh, a scientist with the HSPCB, said samples had been collected from the tankers as well as industrial units, from where the tankers had been filled. The samples would be sent for testing and action would be initiated accordingly.