Action against HP polluting units

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, November 21

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to take strict action against  industries polluting water owing to dysfunctional treatment plants in Baddi, Kala Amb and Parwanoo industrial clusters and to charge an interim environmental compensation of Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh from such large, medium and small industries, respectively.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)  has been told to coordinate  with the SPCB to assess the compensation to be recovered from a  unit for the past five years, taking into account the cost of restoration and the cost of damage caused to public health and environment. 

The SPCB has been directed  to ensure that no further industrial activities  or expansion are allowed in  the potentially polluting red and orange category industries in these clusters. Aditya Negi, member secretary, SPCB, said officials of units were being sensitised to ensure compliance.

Severe category

• The CPCB has rated 100 industrial clusters nationwide on the basis of environment pollution index
• 3 industrial clusters at Baddi, Kala Amb & Parwanoo have been rated as severely polluted