112 polluting units get axed for flouting norms

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has ordered shutting down of 112 industries of Delhi’s Wazirpur Industrial area.

These stainless steel pickling units were found flouting pollution norms.

In a letter to Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), CEO of Delhi Jal Board, Deputy Commissioner of MCD North and local SDM of Wazirabad area, the government has ordered snapping of power, water supply and cancelling of building and manufacturing licences of these units.

“A team of government and semi-government organisations has carried out a survey of the Wazirpur Industrial Area on April 24,” the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said in a statement.

“Samples of waste water flowing in the open drains were collected at three locations and it was found that the pH of the same is far below the standard laid down for the inlet of Common Effluent treatment Plant (CTEP),” the statement added.

The samples were sent to the lab and it was found that the pH level is 0.8, 1.6, 0.9 and 0.8 which clearly indicates that the industries engaged in stainless steel pickling are not carrying out any treatment.

The waste water is being discharged into the open drains, meant for storm water, the statement said.

The DPCC has asked these industries to close their operations with immediate effect under section 33 (A) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Moreover, the centre had made certain modifications in the Master Plan Delhi 2021, in September last year placing the stainless steel pickling industries in the negative list.

The Delhi High Court had earlier given three year’s time to these industries.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in an order on September 23 last year, restrained all the steel pickling industries to function without the consent of DPCC.