NGT orders probe into effluent disposal by 225 Faridabad units

The NGT has ordered an inquiry into illegal waste disposal by 225 electroplating units in Faridabad, citing health risks and environmental violations.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered an inquiry into waste disposal and management practices at the electroplating zone in Faridabad’s Sector 58 after a plea alleged that around 225 units were illegally discharging industrial effluents into open areas and drains.

The tribunal issued notices to 225 electroplating units and constituted a joint committee headed by deputy commissioner Ayush Sinha to investigate the allegations. (HT)

The tribunal issued notices to 225 electroplating units and constituted a joint committee headed by deputy commissioner Ayush Sinha to investigate the allegations. The committee includes member secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), and has been directed to submit an inspection and action taken report before the next hearing on August 24.

The petition, filed on May 9 by Ballabhgarh-based environmental activist Narender Sirohi, alleged that electroplating units were releasing effluents beyond the permitted treatment capacity of the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in Sector 58, which has a capacity of 0.650 million litres per day (MLD). Sirohi also submitted an RTI response from the HSPCB confirming that no adequacy report was available for the operational CETP.

During the first hearing on May 21, the NGT observed that the plea “raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms” in Faridabad’s electroplating zone. Advocate Sanjaya Mishra, representing Sirohi, alleged that illegal disposal of untreated wastewater containing heavy metals had contributed to serious health issues and increasing cancer cases in Ballabhgarh’s Jhar Sentli and nearby villages. “The committee will look into the matter from all aspects. Its members are given eight weeks by the tribunal to submit an ATR,” Mishra said.

Harish Kumar, regional officer of HSPCB in Faridabad’s Ballabhgarh region, said the board would comply with the tribunal’s directions. “Even though our team had made frequent visits to the electroplating zones, the tribunal’s orders will be examined before taking any further action,” Kumar said.

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