CPCB orders Haryana to shut industrial units polluting Yamuna

NEW DELHI: Yamuna Pollution Monitoring Committee (YPMC) found that three different drains are dumping untreated waste in Yamuna and polluting the river at different locations. The committee submitted its report to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On the basis of the report CPCB strictly ordered Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to shut down many units in Yamunanagar, Panipat, and Sonepat districts for not following the rules under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

In December 2018, YPMC, a joint team of the CPCB and the Central Council for Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) had inspected the quality water in the Yamuna at various locations in all the three districts without informing HSPCB. The teams evaluated and identified the sources of pollution during the inspection and prepared the report. Committee found the polluted river water at all the locations that did not follow primary criteria — bathing water quality standards. The CPCB has also ordered the HSPCB to submit a compliance report within two months.

S Narayanan, member secretary HSPCB, said, “As of now we don’t know the exact number of units and we will collect the data from our regional officers to identify the exact number.” HSPCB will definitely take action against it, he added.