113 Barhi units put on notice over effluent treatment violations

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued show-cause notices to 113 industrial units in HSIIDC Barhi, directing them to submit structural adequacy reports for their primary effluent treatment plants (PETPs). The reports must be prepared and vetted by government technical institutions approved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and submitted within seven days.

The action follows directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in response to a petition filed by Delhi-based environmentalist Varun Gulati. Gulati had alleged that several units in the Barhi industrial area were flouting pollution control norms, and that the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) installed there was not being properly maintained. He claimed that untreated industrial effluents were being discharged into Drain No. 6, which eventually flows into the Yamuna, thereby polluting the river.

In response, a joint inspection team from the HSPCB and CPCB submitted a report to the NGT. Based on its findings, the tribunal sought responses from the non-complying units, HSIIDC (for the failing CETP), and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and directed HSPCB to file an action-taken report.

The report revealed that 113 units failed to comply with environmental standards. It also found that the two CETPs — one with a capacity of 16 MLD and another of 10 MLD — were non-compliant. Notably, the 16 MLD CETP was functioning without the mandatory ‘Consent to Operate’ (CTO).

The show-cause notices also referred to the joint panel’s observation that untreated effluents are consistently present in the stormwater channels of HSIIDC Barhi — even during dry weather. This, the board noted, clearly indicates that industries are discharging untreated trade effluent into these channels, which HSIIDC then pumps into Drain No. 6 through underground pipelines that eventually merge with the Yamuna.

A senior HSPCB official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Not only is untreated effluent being discharged, but sewage from these industries is also ending up at the CETPs in HSIIDC Barhi.” He added that the industrial estate has developed across three phases and employs hundreds of workers.

The joint committee further observed: “High reduction in pollution parameters indicates dilution with freshwater in PETPs at different stages. Therefore, the possibilities of dilution automatically reflect non-adequacy of PETP installed.”

Haryana Tribune