In Faridabad, ‘illegal’ dyeing units share pollution blame

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, October 30

The alleged illegal operation of several dyeing units in residential pockets of the Neharpar area in Greater Faridabad has been blamed for continuous degradation of air and water quality.

Stating that the NGT had ordered closure of all such units after he filed a petition in 2016, Varun Sheokand, social and environmental activist, said he would soon file a contempt petition against departments concerned for their failure to implement the order.

He stated that the NGT had, in its order dated September 17, 2016, directed the authorities that no dyeing unit would be permitted to operate without the consent of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the units operating without permission were subject to closure without delay.

The status report filed at that time had disclosed that closure order had been passed on 252 units and proceeding for closure for another 125 units had been taken up.

According to Sheokand, the process for closure of such units located in Dheeraj Nagar, Mawai, Tilpat, Bharat Colony, Palla, Aitmadpur, Kutta Farm and Sehatpur, across the Agra and Guruguram canals, was halted after some months and not taken up since.

Claiming that the total number of operational illegal units was around 500, he said most of these had not been following norms to contain discharge of effluents. He alleged that the DHBVN had provided power connections illegally.

On the other hand, HSPCB officials said there was no report of discharge of chemical effluents in the open and all such units had installed online monitoring devices controlled by the HSPCB.

Claiming that no complaint had been filed recently, Sandeep Singh, Regional Officer, HSPCB, Faridabad, said the department would look into the issue.

Sanjay Mangla, SDO, DHBVN, Kheri Pul, said the issue of disconnecting power supply to unauthorised units would be taken up as per directions and feedback from the HSPCB.