Latest news with #HaryanaStatePollutionControlBoard
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sealed, illegal RMC plants functioning in Gurugram: Minister
Jul 02, 2025 07:46 AM IST Several ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants in Gurugram continue to operate illegally despite being sealed, Haryana's industry and commerce minister Rao Narbir Singh said on Tuesday, directing the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) to take immediate joint action. Singh had previously instructed the HSPCB to take action against illegal RMC plants under relevant environmental rules. (HT File) Singh, who also holds the environment, forest and wildlife portfolio, criticised the ongoing operations during a departmental review meeting in Gurugram. 'It has come to notice that despite departmental action, some RMC plants are operating even after being sealed,' he said. He added that the state government's commitment to transparent governance and public welfare. Singh had previously instructed the HSPCB to take action against illegal RMC plants under relevant environmental rules. To prevent recurrence, Singh directed DHBVN officials to cut off power supply to RMC units immediately upon their sealing by the pollution control board. 'This will send a strong message to those violating rules,' the minister added. During the meeting, Singh also ordered DHBVN to remove all hanging wires along major roads to prevent accidents, especially during the monsoon. 'These wires increase the possibility of accidents,' he said. The Haryana cabinet minister further instructed that electric poles obstructing roads or located within residential and rural areas be shifted according to regulations. Dilapidated and unsafe electric wires in agricultural fields must be replaced in a phased manner, he added. Singh urged regular monitoring of all departmental works and adherence to deadlines and standards. 'Strict action will be taken if any negligence or laxity is found,' he warned.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Toxic waters: Panchkula rivers not fit for a dip, let alone drinking
1 2 3 4 5 6 Panchkula: Water bodies across the district are facing a grave environmental crisis, with pollution levels soaring far beyond permissible limits. Rivers and drains in the region have become dangerously contaminated: not only unfit for human consumption but also unsuitable for outdoor bathing, posing serious risks to public health and the ecosystem. A report compiled by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) in Feb this year paints a disturbing picture of the district's water quality. Kaushalya River, located at Himachal Pradesh-Haryana border in Panchkula, recorded a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level of 8.6 mg/L and a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) level of 52 mg/L. These figures are nearly triple and five times the ideal limits respectively, which are 3 mg/L for BOD and 10 mg/L for COD in healthy river systems. The situation is even worse in Jhajjra River near Parwanoo-Kalka border, where BOD levels reached 10.8 mg/L and COD soared to 64 mg/L. Similarly, Ghaggar River, before its confluence with Sukhna Choe in Panchkula, showed BOD at 9.8 mg/L and COD at 56 mg/L. The pollution is not limited to rivers alone. Drains feeding into these rivers are in a far more critical state. A sample from a drain at Chandimandir village (Burj Kotian Flyover), which flows into Ghaggar, revealed a BOD level of 145 mg/L and COD of 488 mg/L. Another drain at Kakrali village, also leading into the Ghaggar, had BOD at 120 mg/L and COD at 440 mg/L. While drains are allowed slightly higher thresholds - 30 mg/L for BOD and 250–500 ppm for COD - these figures are still alarmingly high and indicative of severe contamination. "The government must take immediate action. Firstly, it should enforce stricter regulations on industrial discharges. Secondly, the chemicals percolating into the river and groundwater due to nearby untreated waste in a dumping yard must be processed on an urgent basis so that neither the groundwater nor the nearby river gets polluted. Lastly, the government should consider implementing penalties for violations to deter future pollution," said Save Ghaggar Campaign co-founder, Tapasya Sharma, who procured this report under the RTI Act. Adding to this, Mohit Gupta, co-founder of Save Ghaggar Campaign, said: "Plans to supply water to Panchkula residents from Kaushalya Dam in near future is a very sensitive issue. With every drain going into the Ghaggar being highly polluted, the dam water too runs the same risk. No amount of treatment will make it safe for human consumption." Vijay Bansal, president of Shivalik Vikas Manch, highlighted that Kaushalya Dam, constructed in 2012 at a cost of nearly Rs 150 crore, was intended to provide clean drinking water to Panchkula's urban sectors through a treatment plant. However, he alleged that untreated sewage from Pinjore drains, runoff from a nearby cowshed (gaushala), waste from a municipal dumping ground, and discharge from a slum settlement are polluting the dam's reservoir. He warned that if this continues, the contaminated water being supplied to residents could trigger a major public health crisis. At present, water from the dam is being supplied to Pinjore. Pollution Board's Sample Summary As per norms for rivers, BOD level for healthy water bodies should be 3 mg/L or less, while COD levels should ideally be below 10 mg/L. Here's what was found: Kaushalya River (HP-Haryana border): BOD: 8.6 mg/L COD: 52 mg/L Jhajjra River (Parwanoo-Kalka border): BOD: 10.8 mg/L COD: 64 mg/L Ghaggar River (before meeting Sukhna Choe): BOD: 9.8 mg/L COD: 56 mg/L Drain at Chandimandir (Burj Kotian Flyover): BOD: 145 mg/L COD: 488 mg/L Drain at Kakrali village: BOD: 120 mg/L COD: 440 mg/L Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
25-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Not just miners, industrial waste is laying siege to Aravalis along Haryana-Rajasthan border
Gurgaon: Two chemical waste burners were found deep into the forest in Nuh's Khori Kalan along the Haryana-Rajasthan border this week, indicating that illegal mining wasn't the only threat to the ecologically sensitive Aravalis in the region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) got a tip-off from locals about industrial waste being burnt in the open in Khori Kalan village. A team went to the site and saw two large cauldrons were being used to set afire toxic chemical waste in the woods. HSPCB officials told TOI on Wednesday that these makeshift burners were dismantled, but they suspect that the forested border region, among the few preserves of green left in the Aravalis, are increasingly becoming dumping grounds for industrial waste transported from across state lines. "Waste may be transported from industrial hubs in Rajasthan's Bhiwadi, Khush Khera and Dharuhera," said Akanksha Tanwar, HSPCB regional officer (Nuh). HSPCB on June 17 wrote to the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board about industrial waste burning by factories in Bhiwadi. "We have written to RSPCB regarding the issue and to ensure that the industries do not dump and burn chemical waste in the Aravalis," Tanwar said. The hills along the Haryana-Rajasthan border are already under the Supreme Court's scanner for illegal mining. With enforcement in this rocky terrain particularly tricky, officials and environmentalists said the region is already under duress. "Illegal burning of industrial waste in forest land not only violates pollution norms but also endangers the entire ecosystem," the HSPCB regional officer added. "This is not an isolated incident. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Aravalis are fast becoming an unofficial dumping ground. Burning industrial waste releases toxic pollutants into the air, contributing to environmental degradation and posing serious health risks to nearby communities. Authorities from both states must coordinate better and increase surveillance," said Vaishali Rana, a Gurgaon-based activist. Khori Kalan villagers, too, said they have been raising an alarm about billowing smoke and pungent odour emanating from the forest area. "Waste is brought from the across the border and illegally burnt in our village. This has been going on for years. Cattle in our village have been dying from drinking wastewater that flows out of chemical residues and villagers have been suffering from skin diseases and breathing ailments. These units are still operational," said Shabad, a resident of Khori Kalan. Reports of industrial waste being discharged into the Aravalis of Nuh go back almost a decade. HSPCB, in 2016, issued closure notices to several units operating in the area. A similar order was issued in 2023. TOI, in Dec 2022, also reported about waste burning units like these operating in Khori Kalan. And last year, Nuh resident Usman Khan filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Punjab and Haryana high court, giving a detailed account of how a broader operation for illegal industrial waste dumping was going on in the hills. According to the PIL, these makeshift units -- scattered across Khori Kala, Khori Khurd and Khori Kalan villages of Nuh – routinely get plastic and metal drums filled with chemical waste, scrap and rubber. This waste is manually segregated and then burnt in large cauldrons using kerosene or similar fuels. Other than toxic fumes, this process generates a charred, semi-solid residue locally called "gulla", which is then sold onwards as fuel to industries, the PIL alleged. The petition is pending before the HC. Activists said waste dumping and mining were a double whammy to the Aravalis of the region. "Each time a hill is blasted, we lose not just a physical structure but also the ecosystem it supports. The Aravalis are living systems. They are home to wildlife corridors, and they are groundwater recharge zones and climate regulators. Illegal mining and unchecked dumping and burning of industrial waste has poisoned the air and soil. Together, these practices are pushing one of India's oldest mountain ecosystems toward irreversible collapse," said Sunil Harsana, an ecologist. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case on unauthorised construction of roads to facilitate transportation of illegally quarried stones from Haryana's Nuh to Rajasthan, where there is no ban on mining the Aravalis.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bars, eateries operate from revoked SCOs in Gurugram Sec 29, despite violations
Despite multiple occupation certificates (OCs) being revoked over the past two years, bars, restaurants, and retail outlets continue to operate openly from shop-cum-office (SCO) properties in Gurugram's Sector-29—exposing lapses in enforcement by the excise department, fire safety authorities, and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). Documents accessed by HT show that OCs for SCO Nos. 27, 28, and 53 were cancelled between 2021 and 2025 for a range of violations, including unauthorised basement use, illegal fourth-floor construction, and zoning infractions. In a January 18, 2022 order against SCO No. 28, Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) even directed disconnection of water and sewer lines and initiated proceedings to reclaim the premises. Yet, at least five bars continue to operate from these properties—some even from basements, which HSVP norms allow solely for storage. A major fast-food chain and other restaurants have also set up shop in spaces designated strictly for hotel use. 'The building codes clearly specify that basements in HSVP markets are to be used for storage only. Running bars or spas in these spaces is not just a violation—it's a safety risk,' said a senior HSVP official, speaking on condition of anonymity. What's raising eyebrows is that several of these establishments continue to hold valid liquor licences and pollution clearances. 'How is the excise department issuing fresh liquor permits when the very building's occupancy certificate has been revoked? Why is the Pollution Control Board giving operating consent for such places?' asked Rajeev Yadav, Supreme Court advocate and president of NGO Adhikaar – The Rights Path, who has filed multiple complaints to both state and central bodies. Adding to the chaos, the back lanes of the market are blocked, hawkers have overtaken the main parking area, and an animal-themed safari cart inexplicably roaming through the market, what was once envisioned as a premium leisure zone now teeters on the edge of chaos. Environmental violations are also rampant. Green belts around Leisure Valley Park—a designated buffer and public space—have been encroached upon with illegal concrete structures and boundary walls. Earlier inspections by district nodal officer RS Batth had flagged these, but no demolitions or follow-up actions have occurred, activists said. 'It's become a concrete carnival,' said Roma J Vinayak, an environmental activist. 'The unchecked commercial creep into green areas has gutted Gurugram's urban cooling systems. And for what? Basement bars?' Activist Vaishali Rana said, 'Sector-29 was once a model of planned urban space. Today, it's a chaotic maze of unauthorised constructions and blatant misuse of land. The silence of regulatory is choking Gurugram's ecological lungs.' Urban planners warn that the issue is no longer confined to Sector-29. The trend of converting office basements into nightlife hubs is spreading—especially along Golf Course Extension Road. One such property, run by a former international cricketer, operates a high-end pub in an SCO marked for office use. 'This open defiance of zoning norms by celebrity ventures sets a dangerous precedent,' said Yadav. The matter has now reached the Chief Minister's Flying Squad and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), prompting activists to demand action beyond toothless show-cause notices. Akansha Tanwar, regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), said, 'We will initiate inspections and take appropriate action against any violations.' Gulshan Kalra, deputy director (technical), Haryana Fire and Emergency Services, said the department would launch a detailed fire safety survey. 'Our mandate includes ensuring equipment is in place, but we'll also examine unauthorised activity.' Vaishali Singh, HSVP administrator, acknowledged the issue. 'The matter is under our notice. We have directed the estate officer concerned to check the premises. If violations are found, strict action will follow.'
Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Gurgaon: district and block-level teams to enforce firecracker ban
In line with Supreme Court orders, the Gurgaon deputy commissioner on Wednesday announced the formation of district- and block-level teams to monitor and act against violations of the firecracker ban in Haryana. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar said the enforcement teams would act swiftly on violations and urged residents to report any breaches. Complaints will be acknowledged within 24 hours, with block-level teams acting within 48 hours, it was stated. The district committee will monitor cases and meet monthly. Noting that the 'air pollution level remained alarming for a considerably long time,' the Supreme Court in April refused to relax the ban imposed on the manufacture, storage and sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. It has extended the ban till December 2025 and refused to be swayed by the argument of firecracker manufacturers and sellers that it will affect their livelihood. It said the ban was limited to a small part of the country, and that there can be no question of giving green crackers any relaxation unless it is shown that the pollution caused by them is the bare minimum. The district-level committee of Gurgaon will be chaired by the deputy commissioner and includes the Haryana State Pollution Control Board's regional officer as convener, with members from nine departments, including police, fire, education, and public relations. It will oversee the ban, seizure and disposal of the crackers as well as awareness campaigns. Block-level teams will be led by subdivisional magistrates and include deputy superintendents of police, block development and panchayat officers, tehsildars, fire station officers, and block education officers. They will enforce the ban, conduct outreach, and handle complaints locally. Illegal firecrackers will be seized and disposed of under the Explosives Rules 2008, with reports submitted to the deputy commissioner and the pollution control board within 48 hours. Awareness campaigns have been instructed to use posters, pamphlets, newspapers, radio, social media, and public display boards. Schools, resident welfare associations, and market associations will be involved. The district information and public relations officer will coordinate these efforts. Residents can report violations via email (hspcbrogrn@ X ( or WhatsApp (9084220708, 9466777145).
