Non-compliance of norms: NGT seeks reply from Sonepat units

Taking a note of the joint committee reports of units in the industrial zone of the Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), Barhi, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a reply from all non-complying units, HSIIDC for non-complying common effluent treatment plant (CETP), and from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) within three weeks. It also directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to file an action taken report against erring industries and CETPs.

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A Delhi environmentalist, Varun Gulati, in a complaint to the NGT alleged that units at Barhi were violating norms while the CETP installed there was also not properly maintained and effluent was discharged into drain No.6, leading to the Yamuna. Following his complaint, the NGT formed a joint panel of the HSPCB and the CPCB to inspect the units and sought a report.

The NGT, in its order, said on the perusal of the report of the committee, of 136 effluent generating industries, 113 indicated that primary effluent treatment plants (PETPs) were not operated properly.

Units are bypassing effluents into storm water systems; industries do not have permission for groundwater extraction; HSIIDC has made dual system for conveyance of storm water to the two CETPs and drain No. 6, which should not be acceptable in terms of mixing storm water with industrial effluents, the order reads.

Several other deficiencies observed relate to not installing flow meters at fresh water source, PETP inlets and outlets and not handling of sludge generated by PETPs.

The NGT said both CETPs (16 and 10 MLD) were underutilised and non-compliant, and the 16 MLD CETP was being operated without consent to operate (CTO).

It sought a reply from the HSIIDC, HSPCB, 113 non-complying units, and NMCG through the Director General to respond as effluents enter the Yamuna, which was a major tributary of the Ganga.

The NGT directed Haryana, through the Secretary (Environment), to file a time-bound action plan in consultation with the HSIIDC. It also directed the HSPCB to file an action taken report as per the Water Act against erring industries and CETPs. The next hearing in the case is February 27.