
PCB issues closure notices to erring units near Thevara-Perandoor, Edappally canals
The notices were issued under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The directive said that the PCB would be constrained to issue orders to the appropriate authority to disconnect the supply of electricity, water, and other services to the said establishments.
The agency also issued closure intention notices to 34 units after inspections revealed that they lacked facilities for the treatment of sewage and sullage. They had also failed to obtain the PCB's consent under Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which is required for the discharge of treated effluents.
The units were given 15 days to respond and take the required follow-up action. The PCB shared the action taken report with the Kochi Corporation. The directive was issued following orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Kerala High Court, directing the authorities concerned to curb the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into the canals.
The Southern Bench of the NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of a report titled 'Faecal contamination high in Perandoor, Edappally Canals' published in The Hindu on January 28, 2021. The Kerala High Court had directed the PCB and the Corporation to take strict action against those responsible for polluting the waterbodies.
The NGT had also directed the government to halt the generation and discharge of liquid waste (sewage and sullage) from the erring units into the Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes, both designated as Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance).
The tribunal had earlier said that it was the government's duty to ensure that every building — whether residential or commercial — was equipped with a sewage treatment plant (STP) or connected to a common STP or faecal sludge treatment plant, the latter being a more economical temporary measure.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Reduce noise from bldg sites, residents urge PCB
Kolkata: Citizens of a residential locality in south Kolkata have written to the state pollution control board, urging it to regulate noise pollution from construction activities, similar to how it successfully controlled construction dust pollution. Among the suggestions provided is the installation of sound suppression barriers at construction sites. In a letter to the PCB chairman Kalyan Rudra, an office bearer of a residents' association at Hindustan Park, a residential neighbourhood near Gariahat that has acquired a commercial character over the past three decades, pointed out that constant high-decibel noise generated at construction sites in the locality is an assault on the senses. Chartered accountant Nina Ghosh, who lives at Hindustan Park, said the use of jackhammers to cut through concrete or the hammering of piling sheets led to severe noise pollution from early morning till late in the evening. "It appears as though our homes have also become construction sites," she said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata In the letter, Pradeep Kakkar, president of Eleven Hindustan Park Owners' Association and founder of environment action group PUBLIC, said the issue was not only related to Hindustan Park but several other residential areas in the city and urged PCB to address the issue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo Citing the success that PCB achieved in tackling dust pollution by using dust suppressants, covering materials, and regular water spraying, Kakkar said the PCB should work out similar measures to stop noise pollution. While acknowledging that construction activity involving grinding, cutting, polishing, and drilling requires heavy-duty/high-speed machines that produce high-decibel noise far in excess of the permissible limit for residential areas, he suggested using multiple measures to contain the noise and avoid disturbing residents. "There can be reasonable restrictions on timings for construction activities that generate loud noise. Sound mufflers can be used around machines that generate loud noise to prevent the spread of noise," explained Kakkar. PCB chairman Kalyan Rudra, while terming the suggestions constructive, said it would require research and development by an academic institution or institute. "There are specific norms on noise in residential areas. We impose them, but it is for the civic body and police to enforce them. We have given police decibel meters to check infringements and take necessary action."


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Ganga at core of cleanliness drive
Patna: Elated with the city's performance in Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2024, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is preparing to launch an extensive cleanliness campaign. This drive is aimed at enhancing public sensitivity towards the Ganga river and foster a broader movement for environmental awareness and civic hygiene. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The campaign will be conducted in phases. From Aug 1 to Aug 15, the PMC will sensitise its employees, stakeholders and enforcement teams. From Aug 15 to Oct 2, the corporation will carry out a citywide campaign to raise public awareness and penalise those found littering on roads or near rivers, or using plastic. Municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Prashar described garbage and plastic as the two primary adversaries of the civic body. "Our teams are working on both fronts to maintain cleanliness in the city," he said. "To enforce the plastic ban, we will focus on three dimensions – suppliers of polythene, its users, and behavioural change. For this, three dedicated wings will be created," he added. Explaining the structure, Prashar said, "The first wing will focus on awareness and behavioural change. The second, the information wing, will track the sources of plastic supply and plug the gaps. The third wing will be responsible for enforcement, ensuring timely action against violators when information is received." Volunteers will engage students in the cleanliness campaign, encouraging them to dissuade their families from dumping plastic and other pollutants into the Ganga. For cleaning the river, PMC will establish a 'Ganga Task Force' comprising 10 to 50 volunteers at each ghat. These volunteers will not only assist in cleaning but also raise awareness among visitors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A ddressing the media on Saturday, Prashar said the campaign would be driven by the theme 'Mera Shehar, Meri Jawabdehi' (My City, My Responsibility). "People's participation is equally vital in keeping the city clean. The river plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of a city. A clean river reflects the city's identity. We will involve the youth and create awareness at the ghats through various cleaning activities. In collaboration with the Bihar State Pollution Control Board, we will impose fines on individuals found polluting the Ganga, as per the Act," he said. The Commissioner highlighted the PMC's goal to further improve the city's performance in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan 2025. "We are aiming for a five-star Garbage-Free City (GFC) rating. Last year, we received a one-star rating, and this year we achieved three stars," he noted. He added, "It is essential to continue our campaign against plastic, conduct cleanliness drives, and prioritise waste processing to enhance our city's ranking in the next cleanliness survey. For the waste processing plant at the Ramachak Bairiya landfill site, the back-end work required to initiate the bidding process will be completed within the next two to three months." As part of long-term plans, a 15-megawatt waste-to-energy plant will be set up at the landfill site. In addition, several other waste management facilities will be established, including a 100-tonnes-per-day (TPD) biomethanation plant, a 250-TPD material recovery facility (MRF)-cum-refuse derived fuel plant, a 50-TPD MRF plant, a 700-TPD compost plant, and 325-TPD sanitary landfill units. Other initiatives under this campaign will include the reuse of bottles for plantation ('safety from bottles'), activities to maintain garbage-vulnerable points (GVPs), the 'mission plantation' drive, a 'plastic-free Ganga' initiative, and awareness campaigns like 'say no to plastic' and intensive cleanliness drives across the city.


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt to notify Southern Ridge after verification of villages
The Delhi government's department of forests and wildlife has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has begun an on-ground verification across 12 villages in the Southern Ridge, which will pave the way for final notification under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The government told NGT that a crucial joint ground verification exercise is underway across 12 villages. (FILE) Sharing detailed timelines which will see verification be completed across a majority of the villages before the end of the year, the department in its affidavit said that a detailed demarcation was last carried out in 2019. This comes in compliance with a July 4 NGT directive. Delhi's Ridge areas have already been notified under Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. However, the final notification under Section 20 is yet to be completed, which grants complete protection and defines the boundaries. The affidavit, filed by Shyam Sundar Kandpal, principal chief conservator of forests and head of department, outlines that a crucial joint ground verification exercise is underway across 12 villages. This comes after a high-level meeting was chaired by the lieutenant governor on May 23 this year, where it was decided that the revenue and forest departments must verify that the areas are free from encroachments before the final notification. 'In order to minimise potential discrepancies or errors in demarcation and need for identification or verification of encroachment, the Government has directed the Revenue Department, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), along with the Department of Forests and Wildlife, GNCTD to jointly conduct a ground verification exercise for the area proposed,' the affidavit mentions. The affidavit includes a detailed timeline for completing the verification village-wise, coordinated by respective district magistrates and subdivisional magistrates. Surveys of villages in Saket division, namely Sahoorpur and Asola, are expected to be completed between July and August. Survey of Neb Sarai is slotted for September, Maidangarhi in September and October, Satbari in November and Bhati will be surveyed in December and January 2026. In Mehrauli, Dera Mandi ground verification is scheduled in August and September , Aya Nagar in October and November, and Jonapur in December and January 2026. Ghitorni and Rajokri are expected to be completed by August, along with Tughlakabad. The forest department has pledged to finalise notifications immediately after ground verification and has requested the tribunal to allow six months for completing this exercise. Delhi has four prominent Ridge areas, with the total area under the Ridge as reserved forests totalling around 7,784 hectares. The largest – the southern Ridge is spread over an area of 6,200 hectares.