Over 150 polluting industrial units asked to shut down

Jalandhar, Jun 6 (UNI) The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) today ordered closure of more than 150 industries which were intentionally violating the pollution control norms in Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

These industries, which were ordered to be closed immediately, included 35 electroplating units, nine bag tanning units and one tannery in Jalandhar and 20 dying, 50 electroplating, 42 acid pickling and 18 other miscellaneous units in Ludhiana.

PPCB chairman Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, who ordered the closure of these units after inspecting the industrial areas here and in Ludhiana, said this step has been taken to check the untreated waste water containing highly toxic and hazardous chemicals being discharged in the rivers and canals.

The PPCB claimed that by closing these industries around 2100 Kilo litre of highly polluted effluents has been prevented to enter Hariake wet land.

The PPCB initiated severe action against the industrialists under the provisions of the Water Act, 1974, who were intentionally violating the pollution control norms and operating without installing effluent treatment plants, Mr Bajwa said.

Initially these industries were served notices under section 33-A of Water Act, 1974 and were given show cause notices which did not yield any result.

This harsh step has been taken due to the complaints received from the residents where water from river Satluj is used for drinking purpose through canal system.

UNI PS SRS HT2112