Nine Panipat units sealed for flouting pollution norms
Dyers’ body seeks CM’s intervention, calls rules impractical
Acting on directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has initiated action against 17 sites in Panipat for violating pollution norms, including sealing nine industrial units and five diesel generator (DG) sets.
Officials said enforcement teams, comprising CAQM flying squads and pollution board personnel, conducted inspections across the city over the past three months. During the checks, several units were found flouting environmental norms, with chimneys emitting dense black smoke. Taking serious note, the CAQM ordered closure of such polluting operations.
Following these directions, the HSPCB sealed nine industrial units located in Sector 29 Part-2, the Old Industrial Area, Barsat Road, Samalkha and Raslapur village, among other locations. Action was also taken against three construction sites for non-compliance with pollution control measures.
Confirming the action, Kuldeep Singh, Assistant Environment Engineer, said, “Action has been initiated on the directions of the CAQM.”
However, the crackdown has triggered concern among local industry. The Panipat Dyers’ Association has written to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, seeking immediate relief.
Association president Nitin Arora said, “The industry in Panipat is in tension due to action initiated upon the industries by CPCB. Several dyeing units have been issued closure notices without any reasons.”
He added that tightening emission standards were difficult to meet. “Earlier the limit of standard particulate matter (SPM) was 800, which had reduced to 80 SPM and now it has been reduced to 50 SPM, which is not possible to maintain by the industries,” he said.
The association has also reiterated its demand for implementation of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) facilities at the earliest.
