'Pollution control board keeps strict vigil in BBN area'

Contradicting the claims of Him Parivesh and Him Dhara, the Himachal Pradesh pollution control board said that it was keeping strict vigil on every violator in the BBN (Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh) area and the suspended particulate matter (SPM) is within the prescribed limit.

Contradicting the claims of Him Parivesh and Him Dhara, the Himachal Pradesh pollution control board said that it was keeping strict vigil on every violator in the BBN (Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh) area and the suspended particulate matter (SPM) is within the prescribed limit.

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Senior environmental engineer of state pollution control board, Parveen Gupta, said in a press statement issued here that the board has also introduced additional heavy metal parameters.

"All the complaints received are entertained immediately and prompt action is always taken by the board officials," said he. He claimed the board has initiated disconnection of electricity and suspension of work to 41 industries, besides issuing 71 show-cause notices to industries in last six months.

Regarding the mining allegations by Him Parivesh and Him Dhara, the board official said that mining activities were regulated by the mining department.

"Issue of mining comes under the preview of pollution control board (PCB). Only for crusher ambient air quality was monitored under Environmental Protection Act. Silting, dumping in riverbed is checked by mining, PWD and IPH departments respectively," added he.

All the industries are legally bound to send the hazardous waste to hazardous waste dumping facility where the waste is stabilized after treatment. He said the board was constantly doing surveillance and monitoring even with limited staff.

Earlier, Him Parivesh and Him Dhara had alleged pollution in the air in the Baddi industrial areas.