Pollution norm violators to face legal action: HSPCB

In a decisive move to tackle pollution in the Yamuna and NCR districts, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the district administration have resolved to initiate legal action against industries and individuals violating pollution norms.

The decision came at a high-level meeting chaired by Pradeep Dagar, Member Secretary (MS), HSPCB, and attended by members of the Special Environment Surveillance Task Force (SESTF). Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Dr Virender Kumar Dahiya, ADC and MC Commissioner Dr Pankaj Yadav, DSP Headquarters Satish Vats, Senior Environment Engineer JP Singh, and Regional Officer Bhupender Singh were present.

“The government’s focus areas are Panipat, Sonepat, and Gurugram — districts identified as critical pollution hotspots,” said Dagar. “Strict legal action will be taken against those draining industrial effluents or sewage into drains and roadsides.”

Enforcement plan detailed

The police have been directed to set up special nakas near drains and impound tankers found dumping industrial waste. All tankers will be registered with the Municipal Corporation (MC) to ensure accountability.

Dagar further instructed officials of the MC, HSVP and HSIIDC to deploy junior engineer-level staff at all common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) to monitor operations round the clock. “If any CETP or STP is found bypassing effluent without treatment, stern action will follow against the plant and officials concerned,” he warned.

The MC has also been tasked with ensuring the scientific disposal of industrial solid waste by sending it to the waste-to-energy plant in Murthal, Sonepat.

Panipat remains critical hotspot

Officials admitted that Drain-1, from Kabri Road to Chautala Road, remains heavily contaminated due to untreated industrial discharge. The drain merges with Drain-2, which eventually carries pollutants into the Yamuna at Khojkipur village. Samples from both drains have repeatedly failed laboratory tests.

In Sector 29, the city’s dyeing hub with over 350 units, untreated chemical effluents continue to flow into sewage lines. Black smoke, open burning of solid waste and roadside effluent discharge remain common despite repeated warnings.

Panipat figures among 43 critically polluted cities listed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with a Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) score above 70. Around 800 industries are registered with the HSPCB portal — seven categorised as highly polluted, 450 under red and about 300 under orange category.

“The board will not tolerate deliberate violations that endanger public health and the environment,” Dagar asserted.