'Remove Ankleshwar, Vapi from critically polluted zone list'

Bharuch: A delegation comprising members of Laghu Udyog Bharti and Bharuch Citizen Council met Union minister of state for environment, Anil Dave, on Wednesday and urged him to remove Ankleshwar and Vapi from a list of critically polluted category industrial zone.
They also requested him to save the Narmada river, which was has been affected due to salinity ingress due to low discharge from the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Speaking about the meeting with the minister, Baldev Prajapati, national vice president of Laghu Udyog Bharti said, "The minister has promised to remove Ankleshwar and Vapi from list of critically polluted zone after we appraised him about steps taken to control environmental damage."
"We have also requested him to give relief to medium and small scale units from several clauses of environment acts that has restricted development of these small units," he added.
"The minister said that issue of critically polluted zone of Ankleshwar was at an advance stage. He also indicated some relief to medium, small and micro enterprises on various hurdles they are facing with regard to environmental clearances," said Prajapati.
Kamlesh Udani, convener of Bharuch Citizen Council said, "We have submitted detail representation on issue of salinity ingress in Narmada river bed near Bharuch. We have requested him to take the matter with Narmada Dam Control Authority to directed the Sardar Sarovar Dam authorities to discharge enough water downstream after monsoon."
On the issue of salinity ingress in Narmada river, the minister has assured to take up the matter with Gujarat chief minister and request him to plan weir to stop sea water.