Punjab Pollution Control Board imposes environmental compensation of Rs.2.46 crore on violating units

Ludhiana: Anurag Verma, Principal Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, in a press statement issued here today, informed that Board was receiving complaints regarding illegal disposal of effluent by the electroplating & acid pickling units. Therefore, Board carried out surprise inspections through its officers. 

In this process working of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for electroplating units as well as re-processors of spent acid, which are lifting effluent/spent acid to treat at their premises, was also looked into. Show cause notice and personal hearing were given by the Board and action was taken against the violating units.

The 02 re-processors units involved in re-processing of spent acid as well as Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for electroplating units operating in Ludhiana have also been imposed Environmental Compensation of Rs 2.46 crore.

Verma further informed that M/s Rajchem Global Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Village-Dheri, Distt Ludhiana was established for processing of spent HCl generated by electroplating/acid pickling units. During inspection a number of irregularities were found in the unit including operation of unit without statuary clearances. Therefore unit has been imposed Environmental Compensation of Rs 1,14,62,500 by the PPCB.

The 2nd reprocessing unit located at Kohara was operating under the name of M/s J.B.R Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and engaged in processing of spent sulfuric acid generated by the acid pickling units. This unit was found lifting spent HCl alongwith spent sulfuric acid although this facility was granted permission for processing of spent sulfuric acid only. Therefore unit has been imposed Environmental Compensation of Rs 26.25 lakh by the PPCB.

Similarly,  activities of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for electroplating units operated by M/s J.B.R Technologies Pvt. Ltd. at Focal Point, Ludhiana were got audited by a team comprising of officers of the Board as well as an expert as third party auditor. CETP was found violating the provisions of Water Act, 1974 and Hazardous & Other Wastes Rules, 2016 on a no. of counts. Therefore, CETP has been imposed Environmental Compensation of Rs. 1,05,15,500 by the PPCB.

Anurag Verma exhorted all the industries to comply with the pollution control laws so that the people can live in a clean and pollution free environment.

Verma further said that if any officer is found to be unnecessarily harassing industry, strict action will be taken against him.