The State Pollution Control Board has cracked down on two industries in the BBN industrial area for causing pollution. Orders have been issued to disconnect the electricity supply of M/s Svam Enterprises, located at Nichla Malpur near Baddi, after irregularities regarding the discharge of polluted water and sewage into the Sarsa River were detected. Meanwhile, instructions have been issued to seal the unit of M/s Mannat Enterprises in Kharota village, where aluminum was being extracted by burning pharmaceutical waste in the open.
Irregularities Detected
The Baddi Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board stated that an inspection of M/s Svam Enterprises on August 12 revealed several irregularities, including issues related to plastic waste processing. The Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was found non-operational, and water was flowing out of the premises. A bypass pipeline leading towards the Sarsa River was discovered, alongside the discharge of domestic sewage.
Officials found that the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels in water samples exceeded prescribed standards. Additionally, housekeeping was poor, and process waste was found stored in the open. Instructions had previously been issued to the company to remove plastic waste, obtain necessary permissions and authorizations, and ensure compliance with the Hazardous and Other Waste Management Rules. The Board decided to take action after the company failed to submit a compliance report within the stipulated timeframe. On September 19, Dr. Gopalchand Gautam, Member Secretary of the Board, issued orders directing the Executive Engineer of the Electricity Board in Baddi to disconnect the company’s power supply and not restore it until further instructions.
Lapses at Mannat Enterprises
On September 5, Board officials inspected Mannat Enterprises in Kharota. The inspection revealed the use of makeshift furnaces to extract aluminum from pharmaceutical waste strips, with pharmaceutical waste being burned in the open. Subsequently, the remaining residue was being melted in a furnace to recover aluminum and produce ingots. According to the Board, the necessary prior permissions and pollution control equipment (PCE) for this activity were lacking. The Board had issued a show-cause notice on September 7, to which a response is still pending.
Action Taken Now
Instructions have now been issued to Baddi SDM Sanjeev Dhiman to seal the industrial unit—with the assistance of the police and regional officials—and ensure it does not resume operations. Atul Parmar, Executive Engineer (XEN) at the Pollution Control Board’s regional office, stated that directives have been sent to the concerned offices to seal one industrial unit and disconnect the electricity supply of the other.
