Dyeing unit fined Rs 6.42 cr for discharging untreated water into sewerage for over 15 yrs

Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 30

A dyeing unit will pay the price for polluting the MC’s sewerage with untreated water for 20 years. Taking strict action against the unit at Industrial Area A, Extension B-3, Sumit Net Fab, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued a fine of Rs 6.42 crore.

According to PPCB Environmental Engineer, Regional Office-1, Ludhiana, a penalty of Rs 6.42 crore has been imposed on the unit for its polluting activities over 15 years. The department is yet to fine the unit for another five years. The order came into effect on July 24 and the proprietor has to deposit the fine within 15 days.

The officials concerned said the fine for the remaining five years would amount to over Rs 2 crore. The unit had been operational since 2004.

A PPCB official, wishing not to be quoted, said the unit’s unethical practices would not have been possible without the connivance of department officials. The department had received numerous complaints against the unit, but decided to turn a blind eye, the official added.

A complaint was also lodged with environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal.

A team from the department had visited the unit in 2019 but no action was taken. The team revisited in 2024 and found the unit was releasing untreated water into the sewerage.

The issue is serious as crores of rupees have already been spent on cleaning the Buddha Nullah, but to no avail. Social organisations, environmentalists and government departments have been trying to address the issue but there has been no positive outcome.

The dyeing industry is held largely responsible for polluting the sewerage, untreated water from which enters the nullah. Industrialists have their own stand on the issue, claiming that domestic and dairy units are equally responsible for the pollution. The contaminated water bodies in the nullah’s catchment area pose a serious health hazard.