Latest news with #PunjabPollutionControlBoard
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Buddha Nullah pollution logjam: NGT to hear 11 clubbed petitions
Ludhiana is bracing for a crucial hearing at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday, as 11 separate petitions concerning pollution in Buddha Nullah have been clubbed into a single case. The matter revolves around allegations that dyeing industries in Ludhiana are discharging untreated or inadequately treated effluents into the Buddha Nullah, causing severe water contamination. Environmental activists and members of the Public Action Committee (PAC) have accused the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) of failing to enforce NGT's previous orders, particularly those directing closure of outlets from Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) operated by dyeing industry associations. Activists claim that despite repeated directives, effluents continue to be discharged into the drain, posing a threat to public health and the environment. In response, the PPCB has submitted a short reply to the tribunal, stating that it has taken action against the violators. The board claims to have imposed environmental compensation (EC) on the CETPs for non-compliance. Specifically, the 50 MLD CETP at Tajpur Road has been fined Rs 2.49 crore since its inception. The 40 MLD CETP, also at Tajpur Road, has been penalised Rs 2.96 crore, and a bank guarantee of Rs 75 lakh has been encashed. Meanwhile, the 15 MLD CETP at Bahadur K Road has been fined Rs 4.5 crore. The hearing will also address the issue of 54 scattered dyeing units allegedly discharging effluents directly into the sewer system connected to Buddha Nullah. Several appeals have been filed by industry associations challenging PPCB's orders. These include: Punjab Dyers Association's appeals against PPCB's orders dated September 25 and 26, 2024, to stop discharge from the 50 MLD and 40 MLD CETPs, Bahadur Ke Textiles Knitwear Association's appeal against similar orders dated September 25, 2024, concerning the 15 MLD CETP, appeals against revocation of consent to operate the 40 MLD CETP at Jamalpur, Awana and challenges to EC orders issued in December, 2024 and January, 2025, including a Rs 3.73 crore penalty imposed on Bahadur Ke Textiles. The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC) has also stepped in, issuing show cause notices to all three CETPs following recent inspections that revealed serious lapses. A report submitted by the ministry highlights the lack of compliance and implementation of previous directives. As the NGT prepares to hear the consolidated case, officials from multiple government departments and industry representatives are expected to face tough questions. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for environmental governance and industrial accountability in Ludhiana. Key Allegations Activists & PAC accuse Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) of failing to enforce NGT orders The main concern is discharge of untreated/partially treated effluents from dyeing units and CETPs into Buddha Nullah Environmental Compensation (EC) Imposed --50 MLD CETP (Tajpur Road): Rs 2.49cr --40 MLD CETP (Tajpur Road): Rs 2.96cr and Rs 75 lakh bank guarantee encashed 15 MLD CETP (Bahadur K Road): Rs 4.5 crore Industry Appeals Punjab Dyers Association: Challenging PPCB orders dated Sept 25 & 26, 2024 Bahadur Ke Textiles Knitwear Association: Challenging EC and discharge stoppage orders Other Appeals: Against revocation of consent to operate and EC notices issued in Dec 2024 & Jan 2025 Government Action MoEF&CC Issued show-cause notices to all three CETPs Inspection findings: Serious lapses and non-compliance reported Report submitted: Highlights failure to implement previous directives What's at stake 54 Scattered Dyeing Units: Allegedly discharging effluents directly into sewer lines Activism and legal battles could reshape environmental accountability and industrial regulation in Ludhiana
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Rajya Sabha member Seechewal pulls up MC officials over coloured water from Jamalpur drain flowing into Buddha Dariya, PPCB collected samples on the spot.
Ludhiana: Toxic industrial effluents are once again flowing unchecked into the Buddha Dariya after a key motor at a pumping station failed, disrupting treatment operations and allowing untreated water from the Jamalpur drain to enter the river directly. The incident has sparked serious environmental concerns, with local dyeing and industrial units suspected of contributing to the contamination. Normally, the drain's wastewater is diverted to the 225 MLD treatment plant through three motors. However, with one out of service for several days, the remaining system has been overwhelmed — allowing most of the drain's polluted discharge to bypass treatment and spill into the Buddha Dariya. Water samples were collected from the site on Tuesday under the supervision of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials, who were acting on instructions from Rajya Sabha MP and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal. The samples are expected to help identify the factories responsible for illegal dumping. "The people of Malwa and Rajasthan are drinking this contaminated water. It is linked to rising cases of cancer and other serious illnesses," Seechewal said, adding that the lack of accountability among officials has allowed this ecological disaster to deepen. Accountability crisis Seechewal accused both the PPCB and Ludhiana municipal corporation of neglecting basic maintenance and monitoring duties. "Until responsibilities are clearly fixed, nothing will improve," he said, accusing the bureaucracy of delaying efforts to restore the seasonal drain and convert it into a rejuvenated water body. He also said he had raised the issue directly with chief minister Bhagwant Mann, warning that pollution in the Buddha Dariya would persist unless strict action was taken against non-compliant officers and polluting industries. Ongoing cleanup effort The Buddha Dariya has long suffered from industrial waste discharge, especially from local dairies and dyeing factories. The second phase of a public clean-up initiative — the Kar Sewa — began on Dec 22, 2024, with Seechewal at the helm. The campaign received support from the-then Punjab governor, Banwarilal Purohit, who held three high-level meetings on the issue during his visit to Ludhiana. Despite these efforts, Seechewal claims that bureaucratic inertia continues to obstruct real change. "The same lobby that turned this seasonal stream into a black, foul-smelling drain is now resisting its revival," he said. He urged residents and civic groups to exert pressure on officials to stop the discharge of untreated waste and to support the long-term revival of the Buddha Dariya. MSID:: 122783966 413 |
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
After Mattewara textile park, now Punjab villagers up in arms against cement plant project
'Punjab should promote tourism, non-polluting industry to preserve its air, water, and fertile land,' cried the villagers of Talwandi Aklia, who are up in arms against the proposal of setting up a cement plant in Mansa district. The villagers have outrightly voted against the proposal at a public hearing committee meeting held on July 14 at Talwandi Aklia in which the representatives of the cement plant, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials, Mansa district administration officials, residents of nearly 20 villages of Mansa and members of the public action committee (PAC) from across the state had participated. JSW Cement is to set up a high-capacity cement manufacturing unit with an estimated production capacity of six million tonnes per annum (MTPA) on 19 hectares of land covering Talwandi Aklia and neighbouring Karamgarh Autanwali villages. The company has already acquired around 67 acres of land. According to villagers, nearly 40 acres have been sold to the cement company by a US-based NRI who hasn't visited Punjab for years. 'A majority of the villagers voted against the proposal to set up this cement plant. Now let's see what happens next. We will stay alert, and if the project gets environmental clearance from the Punjab government despite our stiff resistance, we will start agitation against it. They can set up agro-based projects, cotton mills, etc. But why a cement plant?' asked Manpreet Singh Aklia, an activist of Talwandi Sabo Morcha set up to fight against the project. He is a farmer from Aklia village of Mansa. According to sources, the cement company will be setting up two production units and an additional grinding unit. The public hearing on the project's environmental impact was organised by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). It was attended by hundreds of local villagers, farmers, and activists under the banner of the newly formed 'Talwandi Morcha'. 'We fear for our future,' said Manpreet Singh, a farmer from Talwandi Aklia who participated in the hearing. 'Such large-scale red-category industries bring pollution and health hazards. Our fields, air, and water will all suffer,' he said. Already there is one thermal power plant in Banawali village of Mansa located nearby and the villagers said they can't afford to have another polluting unit. 'Villagers raised alarm over the plant's categorisation as a 'red-category' industry — a classification reserved for industrial units that pose a significant risk of pollution. They argue that cement dust emissions and possible contamination of groundwater could jeopardise agriculture, the mainstay of the local economy,' said Jaskirat Singh, a member of PAC. Local youth and women, too, have joined the campaign, holding awareness meetings and door-to-door campaigns to rally more villagers, said Kapil Arora, another PAC member. Villagers feared that apart from air and water pollution, the unit will also damage the roads of villages after hundreds of cement-laden trucks and many trucks carrying fly ash from Banawali thermal power plant to be used as raw material in the cement factory will cross the roads quite often. Representatives of JSW Cement and district officials tried to allay fears during the hearing, promising strict adherence to environmental norms and highlighting possible job opportunities for local people. However, villagers remain unconvinced, pointing to past examples where job promises were not kept. The final nod for the plant will depend on environmental clearances at the national level under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006. Meanwhile, local resistance is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, with the Talwandi Morcha planning further meetings, legal consultations, and protests. 'The conflict underlines the delicate balance between industrial expansion and community rights in Punjab's agrarian belt, where farmers already face mounting challenges related to land use, groundwater depletion, and pollution,' said Jaskirat Singh. The PAC had previously mobilised strong opposition to the Ruchira Paper Mill project near Chamkaur Sahib, with its public hearing held on April 30. During this hearing, residents from around 50 villages, backed by PAC activists, raised urgent concerns about the mill's proximity — just 10 metres —to Buddha Dariya and about 200 m from the Neelon Canal, both key water sources. Out of 873 attendees, 853 opposed the project, citing risk of severe water contamination in an ecologically vulnerable zone. Similarly, in January–July 2022, PAC led a campaign against the proposed Mega Textile Park at Mattewara in Ludhiana voicing fears over threats to the Sutlej river ecosystem and local forests. That sustained activism led to the Punjab government cancelling the project in July 2022.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Uncertain of e-waste volume, Punjab starts statewide audit of sources
Chandigarh: To clamp down on and track electronic waste, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has launched a statewide mapping exercise to identify and catalogue all e-waste sources. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to compile a comprehensive inventory of bulk consumers, repair and dismantling units, authorised recyclers, and informal sector operators across Punjab. Electronic waste includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment—from refrigerators and washing machines to computers, mobile phones, televisions, and small appliances. Proper disposal is vital to protect public health and environment: it prevents the release of toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury into soil and water, and conserves valuable resources. In contrast, uncontrolled dumping or informal dismantling can contaminate ecosystems, harm human health, and contribute to resource depletion. At present, PPCB only receives data from industrial sources that voluntarily report their e-waste figures. Information from the informal sector and smaller generators remains largely unknown. With e-waste emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams, regulators see this inventory as essential to bringing unmonitored actors under formal oversight. PPCB senior officer Parveen Saluja, who oversees e-waste management, said they were in the process of engaging experienced consultants to conduct a comprehensive statewide survey on e-waste. An expression of interest (EoI) has been invited for this purpose. The survey will cover a wide range of stakeholders, including bulk consumers, service centres, repair shops, collection points, informal dismantlers, recyclers, and others involved in the e-waste ecosystem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The selected agency will be responsible for collecting field data, compiling records, and delivering detailed reports, which will guide the state in formulating robust strategies for e-waste collection, recycling, and safe disposal. PPCB officials added the findings from this exercise will form the backbone of a state action plan on e-waste, enhance compliance monitoring, and curb illegal handling and disposal practices. They also emphasised the importance of raising awareness among consumers and informal sector workers about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal—an effort they believe will promote more responsible and sustainable practices across the board. By combining data-driven governance with grassroots engagement, Punjab hopes to establish a cleaner, more sustainable framework for managing its burgeoning e-waste challenge. BOXES Responsible handling a must Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, every stakeholder in the e-waste lifecycle bears specific obligations to ensure responsible handling and recycling. These rules apply to all electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule I—along with their components and spares—and cover producers, manufacturers, importers, refurbishers, collection centres, recyclers, and bulk consumers. Rules for producers, manufacturers Producers and manufacturers must register with the Punjab Pollution Control Board, establish and finance collection systems, and guarantee environmentally sound take-back, recycling, or disposal of their products under an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework. Authorisation must for recyclers, dismantlers Recyclers and dismantlers are required to obtain authorisation, follow prescribed processes such as safe dismantling, shredding, and material separation, and maintain detailed records of all quantities handled. Bulk consumers—large offices, institutions, and similar organisations—must channel their end-of-life equipment exclusively to authorised collection points or recyclers. By embedding these obligations throughout the e-waste chain, the rules promote a circular economy, conserve valuable resources, and mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by toxic substances in discarded electronics. NEED FOR AUDIT Uncontrolled dumping or informal dismantling can contaminate ecosystems, harm human health, and contribute to resource depletion At present, PPCB only receives data from industrial sources that voluntarily report their e-waste figures Information from the informal sector and smaller generators remains largely unknown With e-waste emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams, regulators see this inventory as essential to bringing unmonitored actors under formal oversight
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Opposition slams AAP over appointment of key posts to Delhi leaders in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: A political row has erupted in Punjab after a series of appointments made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led government drew critisim from the opposition. The appointment of Shaleen Mitra, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to former Delhi Cabinet Minister Satyendar Jain, as the OSD to Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh. This comes just days after two other Delhi-based party leaders, Reena Gupta and Deepak Chauhan, were appointed as chairpersons of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, respectively. The opposition questioned the government over these appointments and claimed that the appointment of individuals from outside the state on important administrative roles is harming the Punjabi pride. They allege that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has "surrendered Punjab to the Delhi leadership" Mitra was also the project manager of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. A photograph of Mitra sitting with Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh in a meeting went viral yesterday. Last month, Gupta, who was the spokesperson of AAP Delhi and former secretary of the Delhi unit of the party, became the first woman to be appointed as the chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). She had earlier worked with Rajya Sabha Member Sandeep Pathak. Both appointments had sparked a political furore in the state.
