Baddi industrial unit dumps untreated effluents in nullah

Tribune News Service

Solan, August 29

An industrial unit reportedly polluted a nullah near a gas plant in Baddi in the district by disposing of untreated effluents into it this morning. Local residents informed the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) staff, who inspected the site. Concentrated blue toxic effluents dumped by the unit are not only fatal for the aquatic flora and fauna but also adversely affect the water quality of the Sirsa river, as the nullah flows into it.

This was not an isolated incident as another nullah near Sandholi turned foamy white after an herbal shampoo manufacturing unit dumped untreated effluents into it yesterday. The SPCB staff after examining the spot recommended the power supply disconnection of the erring unit.

Still worse, local residents informed the SPCB that the nullah near the gas plant had been transformed into an indigo water body after untreated effluents were dumped into it. Since the rainy season is in progress, industries use the opportunity to dump toxic waste directly into nullahs instead of spending money on its scientific management and disposal.

The SPCB staff have been struggling to improve the water quality of the Sirsa river that has instead deteriorated though elaborate action plans have been drawn up. The case has been placed under the Priority-I criteria instead of the earlier Priority-III criteria by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), indicating how the water quality has gone from bad to worse

To check the deliberate dumping of hazardous and toxic waste by industrial units, the CPCB has launched a National Hazardous Waste Tracking System in all states. All industrial units are required to register themselves on the online portal at the earliest. The SPCB staff hope that once this mechanism is developed, it will curb the dumping of untreated effluents into water bodies.

Member Secretary, SPCB, Anil Joshi said that samples were lifted from the spot where blue water was found today and froth was noticed yesterday in Baddi. The board field staff had examined the spot to identify the source of pollution and further action would be initiated on the basis of lab reports. A notice had also been issued to the HP State Industrial Development Corporation as sewerage leakage was found in its plot.

Another erring unit loses power

• Another nullah near Sandholi turned foamy white after an herbal shampoo manufacturing unit dumped its untreated effluents into it on Wednesday
• The staff of the SPCB after examining the spot recommended power disconnection of the erring industry
• Since the rainy season is in progress, erring industry managements use the opportunity to dump their toxic waste directly into the nullahs instead of spending money on their scientific management