Discharged effluents into nullah, stone crusher power supply cut

In a case of blatant disregard of the environmental norms, the State Pollution Control Board has snapped power supply to a stone crusher-cum-screening plant at Bagleha in Nalagarh in the orders issued last week. Unmindful of the environmental degradation, the plant was found discharging effluents from its sand washing section into a nearby nullah with impunity.

Shubh Stone Crusher and Screening Plant was inspected by the staff of the State Pollution Control Board on January 9 after receipt of complaints. It was found indulging in this polluting activity with little regard for the environment. Water samples were subsequently collected by the staff and analysed at the board’s central laboratory at Parwanoo where the results failed to comply with the norms, thus highlighting high incidence of pollution.

A show cause notice was thereafter served to the unit on February 17 by the Baddi-based Regional Officer. The unit was re-inspected on March 28 where the unit continued to adopt laxity in adhering to the environmental norms by continuing to discharge effluents from the sand washing section into the nearby nallah. Since the water from the nallah confluences into the Kundlu khud the callous activity adversely polluted the water flowing in the khud.

“While directing the plant to curb the nefarious activity, we recommended disconnection of its power supply due to non-compliance of the earlier directions,” informed board’s chief engineer, Praveen Gupta.

Invoking section 33-A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and sections 24 and 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the board’s chairman ordered its power disconnection last week. The plant has also been directed to suspend its production and not operate even on diesel induced generation set or any other source of energy while non-compliance would fetch a monetary penalty ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15 lakh.

The case not only highlights the highhandedness of the plant management but also how official directions fail to be adhered in a systematic manner exposing the sole concern for making monetary gains.

Himachal Tribune