HC declines to restore power supply to RO plants

Chennai, Feb 11 (PTI): The Madras High Court today declinedto grant a direction to authorities to restore power supply toReverse Osmosis (RO) plants, as sought for by the TirupurDyeing Factory Owners Association.

On Jan 28, the Court had ordered immediate closure of allbleaching and dyeing units in the hosiery hub of Tirupur forcontinued discharge of effluents into a river in violation ofits orders and that of the Supreme Court and disconnection ofpower supply to the units.

The Association then filed an application, seeking adirection to authorities to restore power to Reverse Osmosis(R.O) plants to maintain R.O membranes and bacterial tank toachieve Zero Liquid Discharge and also restoration of singleline power connection to the units for safety of the premises.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) today filed acounter in response to the court''s direction yesterday,statingthat the units'' needs could be met with Diesel Generator Setavailable in all CETPS (Common Effluent treatment Plants).

In its affidavit, TNPCB said it is ''practically hard'' toimplement the January 28 order if single electricity linepower supply is restored to the units.

Disposing the Association''s application, the first bench,comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanamsaid once the court had given a judgement to close the unitsfor reasons stated, "we do not think it proper to issuedirections for restoration of power supply to such units."

However it granted permission for units to use dieselgenerator sets, saying needs of the industries with regard tomaintaining R.O plants and membranes can be adequately met bygenerating power through such sets available in all units.

The Bench made it clear that permission was subject to thecondition that the petitioner file an undertaking before TNPCBto use power generated through the generators not for anyother purposes.

The Bench also said TNPCB should monitor the activities ofthe units for proper compliance.