VIJAYWADA: A total of five tyre pyrolysis units across Andhra Pradesh were shut down by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) after they were found violating pollution norms as stated in the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. This comes after a report by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stating that such units were causing pollution on an unprecedented level. After the report was released by the NGT, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ordered 17 states and two union territories to shut down such units operating in their regions. However, APPCB claims that it took stringent steps prior to the CPCB order.
The states and union territories directed by the CPCB to close the units are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Meanwhile, the NGT has issued another directive asking the PCBs in coastal states and union territories to draw up and submit action plans, within one month, to prevent sewage from being discharged into the sea. Failing the deadline will invite a fine of Rs 10 lakh per month on the PCBs till the action plan is submitted.
BSS Prasad, APPCB Chairperson said that the state PCB has started conducting regular tests of the water quality in the 39 quality check station present across the 974 km of coastal stretch. Every month, the details are sent to the CPCB.