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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Lens on city's textile, dyeing assocns for flouting effluent treatment rules
Ludhiana: The environment ministry has served show-cause notices to the Bahadur K Textile and Knitwear Association and Punjab Dyers Association for non-compliance with green norms during the setting up of a 15MLD common effluent treatment plant at Bahadurke Road Dyeing Complex and a 40MLD and 50MLD CETP at Jamalpur Awana. Based on a report submitted by a monitoring team, the ministry objected to the management of these CETPs for not meeting the conditions set during environmental clearance. The show-cause notice stated that the associations must submit their replies within 30 days of receiving the notice. Failure to comply would compel the ministry to take action under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986, as deemed appropriate, with or without further notice to the project. Environmental clearance was granted to Bahadur Ke Textile and Knitwear Association Limited (BTKAL) on Dec 8, 2014, contingent upon various conditions and environmental safeguards. An inspection conducted in May revealed that BTKAL had not submitted the consent to establish obtained from the Punjab pollution control board under the Air Act and Water Act. Effluent monitoring was not performed, and the CETP discharged approximately 15 MLD of treated water into Buddha Nullah contrary to the conditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Similarly, environmental clearance was granted to Punjab Dyers Association on May 3, 2013, subject to various conditions and environmental safeguards. The inquiry found that the unit was discharging approximately 40 MLD and 50 MLD of treated water into Buddha Nullah against the conditions. The association did not provide information regarding informing farmers that the water supplied to them was treated effluent. They established 40 MLD and 50 MLD CETPs separately without notifying the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Details of other statutory clearances, such as approvals for diesel storage from the chief controller of explosives, fire department, civil aviation department, Forest Conservation Act 1980, and Wildlife Protection Act 1972, were not submitted. Members of Punjab Dyers Association were given one month to respond to avoid closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process, or stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity, water, or any other service. However, Punjab Dyers Association member Bobby Jindal refused to provide any information about the show cause notice. BOX WHAT DID PROBE FINDINGS REVEAL Environmental clearance was granted to Bahadur Ke Textile and Knitwear Association Limited (BTKAL) on Dec 8, 2014, contingent upon various conditions and environmental safeguards An inspection conducted in May revealed that BTKAL had not submitted the consent to establish obtained from the Punjab pollution control board under the Air Act and Water Act Effluent monitoring was not performed, and the CETP discharged approximately 15 MLD of treated water into Buddha Nullah contrary to the conditions In addition, details of the MoU between the CETP and member units were not provided, and there was no valid consent to accept effluent from member units at the time of inspection IN A SEPARATE COLOUR PATCH Similarly, environmental clearance was granted to Punjab Dyers Association on May 3, 2013, subject to various conditions and environmental safeguards The inquiry found that the unit was discharging approximately 40MLD and 50MLD of treated water into Buddha Nullah against the conditions The association did not provide information regarding informing farmers that the water supplied to them was treated effluent They established 40 MLD and 50 MLD CETPs separately without notifying the ministry of environment and forests
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Yamunanagar faces pollution crisis: 8 formaldehyde plants under scrutiny of pollution board
Yamunanagar: As the 15-day deadline given to eight formaldehyde manufacturing units in Yamunanagar by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), it raises serious questions about the next course of action by the district administration. These units were and are still operating without mandatory environmental clearances and in violation of the Water Act and Air Act and the order of the Supreme Court. As per Sudhir Mohan, Executive Regional Officer (ERO) of the Yamunanagar of HSPCB, plant owners were issued notices on June 21 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. They were asked to show cause why prosecution, closure orders, and environmental compensation should not be initiated against them. These eight units are established in different parts of Yamunanagar district including Yamunanagar, Jathlana, Jagadhri, Chhachhrauli, Radaur and others. ERO Sudhir said these units have submitted their replies after the notices, which are currently under scrutiny. He said after the scrutiny the report will be sent to the HSPCB headquarters for further action. The HSPCB in its notices warned that if they fail to meet the required environmental standards and secure Environmental Clearance (EC), closure notices will be issued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Pay Full Price for 2025's Top Games! Shop Now Undo The fate of these formaldehyde units could have a ripple effect on the local plywood industry. Formaldehyde is an essential chemical used in the production of resin, which binds plywood layers together. Without it, the industry cannot function. This chemical's pollution has cancer causing substances, said Yamunanagar deputy civil surgeon. According to JK Bihani, District President of the Plywood Factory Association, 'Formaldehyde is the backbone of the plywood industry. If these plants shut down, over 160 active plywood units could follow, especially when 190 have already closed due to recession.' Formaldehyde is classified as a hazardous chemical known to cause health issues like cancer, respiratory irritation, allergies, and skin problems. Its industrial use, especially in adhesive resins, requires strict regulation and environmental approval, which many of the plants had reportedly bypassed for years. Officials say a final decision on enforcement actions, including possible shutdowns, will be made after examining the responses submitted by the plant operators. As scrutiny continues, the region's critical plywood manufacturing economy hangs in the balance. Yamunanagar deputy civil surgeon Dr Divya Mangla said, 'When formaldehyde is dissolved in water, it is very hazardous for the human body. It can lead to irritation, respiratory problems and even can lead to cancer. It is very important to stop pollution from this chemical and protect air, water and the environment for better human health.' With the deadline now passed and the stakes high, the coming days will be crucial for Yamunanagar's environment and economy alike.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
We do not have power to act on noise and can only monitor: Pollution board
Panaji: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has said at a recent meeting that it could not make the installation of electronic signboards to monitor sound decibel levels, online noise meters, and CCTV a condition to issue its consent to operate for restaurants along the coast. The board stated that this is because it does not come under the Water Act and the Air Act. The board was deliberating on directives to it from the additional collector. 'Members, after deliberations, decided to request the collector to entrust the responsibility of imposing such conditions to the authority notified under the noise rules and the notified noise action plan,' the board meeting minutes state. The board received directions from the additional collector to make these conditions part of its consent to operate. The directives came after a meeting was held at the North Goa collectorate on April 4 to discuss issues relating to the control of noise pollution, based on a PIL in the matter. The additional collector-I directed representatives from GSPCB and SDMs that while issuing consent/permission, the condition of installation of CCTV should be included in the permission. Directions were also issued to all establishments, including beach shacks, to mandatorily have CCTVs installed on their premises and that the footage should be made available to the officials of the GSPCB and police on demand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir Inscríbete ahora Undo The high court was informed of these measures to control noise pollution along the North Goa coast. However, board members noted that state govt recently notified the noise action plan under the noise rules, 2000, and that GSPCB is not the authority under the noise rules 2000 or the noise action plan. The members noted that GSPCB only carried out the real-time noise monitoring and the data is being transmitted on a real-time basis at police stations as well as the SDM, along with the board. 'As the police inspector and the SDM are the authorities responsible for enforcing the provision of noise rules, 2000, as well as the noise action plan, they are required to immediately act upon violations of the noise rules, that is, exceedance of noise levels and/or playing of music in the open beyond 10pm after considering the noise level data transmitted to them on a real-time basis,' the board noted.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Chandigarh pollution control committee issues notices to government bodies to curb air pollution
1 2 Chandigarh: In a first, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC), to mitigate air pollution in the city, issued notices to different govt bodies, including the UT engineering department, municipal corporation, Panjab University, and Indian Railways, delineating steps to be taken to curb air pollution. CPCC gave 15 days to the different govt agencies to respond to the notices. Saurabh Kumar, member secretary, CPCC, said, "Chandigarh comes under non-attainment cities because of not meeting prescribed ambient air quality standards, especially in the winter season, and the level of pollutants of particulate matter concentration (PM2.5 & PM10) goes beyond the prescribed standards for ambient air quality. Dust pollution is one of the major sources of air pollution, contributing high levels of PM concentration, i.e. , PM10 & PM2.5." Notices were issued as the whole of the Union Territory of Chandigarh was declared an Air Pollution Control area under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Under Section 17(1) of the Air Act, 1981, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee is to plan a comprehensive programme for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution and to secure execution thereof. The Committee is of the view that to tackle the problems of road dust resulting from road construction, re-modeling, repair, unpaved roads, and the open land from where soil is easily blown into the air because of traffic or winds, such activities are required to be monitored and regulated. The govt bodies like the municipal corporation and UT engineering department have been asked to take proactive steps in this direction as the owning/maintaining and road construction agencies have to play a greater role in the effective monitoring and implementation of dust control measures. Meanwhile, the Railways were issued notices as the loading and unloading area under its control in the Daria area of Chandigarh is causing a lot of air pollution in contravention of the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Kumar said, "To curb air pollution, particularly during the winters, collective institutional effort is required." **BOX1: SOME OF THE MEASURES OUTLINED** **UT Engineering Department** - Shall cover the central verge with eco-friendly honeycomb paver blocks or with other aggregates. - Shall explore the possibility of washing roads at night time with tertiary treated wastewater. - Shall also explore the possibility of laying pipelines for the transportation of tertiary water on each main road and sub-road so that a mechanism can be worked out for spraying water at fixed intervals. - Shall use the by-products generated out of the Construction and Demolition Waste Processing Plant as rejects to use on the exposed soil wherever required. - Dust mitigation plan shall be incorporated in all construction projects. - Thick vegetation cover or pebbles, whichever is feasible, on vacant exposed ground. **Addition to Above for Municipal Corporation** - The municipal corporation shall purchase an adequate number of vehicles (preferably e-Vehicles) to cover the entire city to sprinkle water during the morning hours on the roads before manual sweeping. - Shall work out the mechanism for proper collection of fallen leaves and their disposal as it further leads to air pollution. **Railways** - To make arrangements to sweep the entire jurisdiction of the railway, including the loading and unloading area, and shall identify potential dust hotspots and make arrangements for spraying water in all such areas to suppress the dust. - To provide provisions for the washing of wheels of the vehicles entering and exiting from the loading/unloading/weighing area. - To take measures to ensure that there should be no exposed ground in railway premises and cover the exposed soil either with thick vegetation or pebbles, whichever is feasible. - To cover all the loading and unloading areas, including the roads and weighing bridge area, with eco-friendly honeycomb paver blocks or any other suitable material to restrict dust suspension. **BOX2: WINTER AIR POLLUTION** In the past few years, the Chandigarh winters witnessed severe air pollution. At one point in November last year, it was reported to have the worst air quality in the country. On several occasions in the last couple of years, it was among the top three worst air-polluted cities in the country. On average, though, spanning the year-long period, the air quality hovers around moderate air quality. MSID:: 121653902 413 |
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka pollution control board tightens rules for high-rise projects
BENGALURU : The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued a strict directive mandating that before granting plan approval (CC) and occupancy certificate (OC) for multi-storey residential complexes, prior approval and consent from the board must be confirmed. If these clearances are not obtained and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ( BBMP ) still issues CC and OC, the responsibility will rest entirely with the BBMP. Responding to a letter from BBMP seeking clarification, KSPCB's Member Secretary on May 30 outlined the rules requiring prior consent for establishment (CFE) and consent for operation (CFO) from the board before any such approvals can be issued for multi-storey buildings. Since 2015, it has been mandatory for KSPCB to verify compliance with the Water Act, Air Act, and other environmental protection laws before construction begins. This specifically applies to buildings with over 120 flats within the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) limits. According to sources, this rule aims to prevent construction on lake beds, stormwater canals, and sensitive ecological areas. Projects must allocate space for sewage treatment plants (STPs) and waste management units before seeking approval. Seeking KSPCB consent after construction will not be accepted. BBMP has been strongly advised to ensure prior environmental clearance before granting approvals.
