Effluent treatment plant to Ulhas, Waldhuni rivers violating oceanography institute norms: MPCB

“MIDC has been directed to lay down necessary pipeline up to a point decide by the NIO, but no report is received by the MPCB in this respect till date. However, work of further study in respect fixation of points of disposal is stated to be awarded to NIO,” said Bhagwan Solunke, Regional Officer, Kalyan division, MPCB.

The CETPs are used by industries that belong to the MIDC industrial belt from Dombivli to Ambernath. There are 378 ‘Red’ category industries, 84 ‘Orange’ category industries and 492 ‘Green’ category industries in the catchment area of Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers, categorised based on the amount of effluent generated by the industry. Of these, all but eight industries have joined the CETPs; the eight industries have requisite effluent treatment and disposal arrangement, said MPCB officials.

There are six CETPs discharging their treated effluent into Waldhuni river that include Ambernath Chemicals Manufacturers Association, Chikhloli Morivali Effluent Treatment, Badlapur and Ambernath CETP Co Pvt. Ltd, according to MPCB officials.

The CETPs at Dombivali namely Dombivali Better Environment System Association (DBESA) and Dombivali Common Effluent Treatment Plant (DCETP) also discharge their treated effluent into Ulhas Creek through Khambalpada and Bhopar nullahs, which are also points decided by the NIO.

NIO had earlier pointed out discharge points at the rivers so as to minimise pollution. MIDC was supposed to inform NIO to conduct a new study few months ago, but it informed the NIO only recently, according to the MIDC’s affidavit before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Noting the delay in commissioning the study, the NGT rapped the MIDC last week stating, “This is not mere impropriety but sheer carelessness and lack of seriousness in the context of the issue pertaining to environment.”
However, MPCB’s Solunkhe said MIDC had informed that work on building the pipeline had begun.

Meanwhile, the MPCB has allocated the work of ‘Assessment of Pollution Load from various sources and preparation of action plan for the purpose of monitoring activity of discharging water pollutants in the Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers by the industries” to IIT-B for Rs 48 lakh.

anjali.lukose@expressindia.com