HSPCB raids illegal scrap-burning units in Sonepat, destroys furnaces

A team of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) on Monday conducted raids at scrap-burning units in the Ferozepur Bangar area of the district. The team found eight units in running mode.

The units were running illegally without consent to establish (CTE) and without consent to operate (CTO) from the pollution board.

The HSPCB team initiated action against the units on the complaint of a Delhi-based environmentalist, Varun Gulati.

In a complaint to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) portal on October 10, he claimed that scores of scrap-burning units were operational in the Ferozepur Banger area of Sonepat district.

The units were causing severe air pollution and posing severe health hazards to residents in the area and contributing to environmental degradation, he said.

The burning of scrap released hazardous emissions that were detrimental to health and creating a highly toxic environment in the region, the complainant alleged.

He said the units were violating norms under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 and norms set by the HSPCB.

Following the complaint, the team of the HSPCB, led by SDO Kushagra Kadyan, conducted raids in the area and found eight units running in broad daylight. The team removed the furnaces.

As per sources, scores of such units were operational in the district and most ran in the night.

Gulati said the unit owners had no fear of the pollution board and were running their illegal units in broad daylight. “The Air Quality Index (AQI) has been deteriorating day by day in the national capital, but only farmers are blamed. Such illegal units were equally responsible for the poor AQI in the NCR,” he said.

Pradeep Singh, Regional Officer, HSPCB, said eight units were found operational in Ferozepur Bangar area. All furnaces had been destroyed and notices would be served on the units as per pollution norms.