Power supply to 8 illegal metal melting units snapped

The State Environment Surveillance Task Force (SESTF) detected eight illegal aluminium waste melting units operating without authorisation during a surprise inspection in the Kanoda village area under Bahadurgarh subdivision here on Wednesday.

The team immediately dismantled furnaces (‘bhattis’) being used for the illegal activity and disconnected electricity supply to them.

Officials said these units were engaged in melting aluminium scrap in violation of rules, causing air and environmental pollution in the surrounding area. Besides, a plastic waste manufacturing unit was found operating without the necessary permissions.

“A closure action is being initiated against the units. The SESTF, which has been formed in Jhajjar district, comprises officials from various government departments. It conducts regular surprise inspections to check whether or not industrial units are operating in compliance with rules and environmental regulations,” said Shailendra Arora, Regional Officer of Haryana State Pollution Control Board.

He maintained that strict action would be taken against all illegal waste processing and recycling units operating in violation of environmental norms. The inspection drive aims to curb pollution caused by unregulated industrial activities and ensure compliance with environmental safety standards in the region.

Arora maintained that earlier, the SESTF had found three illegal plastic waste washing and plastic waste burning units along Mungeshpur drain and took action against them.

The authorities have urged residents to report any such illegal units so that prompt action can be taken to protect public health and environment. In view of health hazards caused by illegal plastic units in the district, Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Ravindra Patil has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing immediate action against all such units.

The orders will be specifically applicable in the areas of Parnala, Nizampur Road, Bamdauli, Kanonda, Khairpur, Ladrawan, Siddhipur, Lowa Kalan and Lowa Khurd. As per the orders, there will be a complete ban on illegal operation of plastic industrial activities and plastic burning on residential and agricultural land in these areas.

The order clearly states that such factories operating through illegally obtained electricity connections will be strictly prohibited. Any violation of these orders will result in stringent legal action against the offenders. These prohibitory orders will remain in force until January 10.