Pollution Control Board serves notice to Coca Cola factory in Varanasi

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has issued a notice to the Coca Cola plant at Mehandiganj in Varanasi following the pradhans’ letter on the over-exploitation of groundwater.

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has issued a notice to the Coca Cola plant at Mehandiganj in Varanasi following the pradhans’ letter on the over-exploitation of groundwater.

The Coca Cola plant in Varanasi.(HT Photo)

Board’s regional officer Dr Mohammad Sikandar said: “We have received the letter. They have not made any complaint related to pollution. The complaint is about excess water exploitation which is concerned with Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)... I would discuss the matter with the senior authorities.”

He said that the matter was already before the National Green Tribunal.The issue would be probed and the plant would be inspected, he added.

Commenting on the development, Somesh Shukla, a senior official with Coca Cola, said a CGWB survey report had said the depletion of ground water level was not due to drawing of water by Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL) plant. “Despite the decline, there was water in ponds and wells, leading to good yield of wheat and mustard,” said Shukla.

“Ground water depletion is a larger issue that requires all stakeholders to work together towards finding long term solutions. HCCBPL is working with various NGOs and communities around its bottling operation to replenish the ground water,” he said.

Read: Varanasi villagers blame Coca-Cola for water scarcity woes