Polluting oil recycling unit sealed in Ambala

The Regional Office of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has sealed Satguru Biofuel Limited, an oil recycling unit near village Sullar in Ambala, for violating environmental regulations and operating without mandatory authorisation.

The unit was found recycling used oil without obtaining required consents from the pollution control board. Residents and sarpanches from villages Sullar, Ballana, Bhari and nearby areas had lodged complaints with the Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, over the foul odour coming from the facility, which was causing inconvenience in the area. The matter was also raised in a District Public Relations and Grievances Committee meeting.

Following the complaints, HSPCB officials conducted an inspection at the unit in June. During the visit, the unit was found operating without valid environmental clearance. It was engaged in recycling hazardous waste, including used oil, without prior authorisation and had not installed the required pollution control devices, as outlined in the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) guidelines for environmentally sound recycling of hazardous waste.

The board subsequently issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment Protection Act. The notice also included action for closure, prosecution and imposition of environmental compensation, citing violations of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules.

Ambala Regional Officer of HSPCB, Ajay Malik, said a complaint had been received from gram panchayats of Ballana and Sullar. “After inspection, it became clear the unit was operating in gross violation of environmental norms. A show cause notice was issued, and though a reply was received, it was not satisfactory,” he said.

Malik added closure orders were issued on August 28 by the competent authority. “The unit has been sealed, polluting machinery locked, and the electricity supply disconnected by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN),” he said.

The board has said further monitoring would continue to ensure the unit remains non-operational and that no further violations take place.