A team from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) conducted an inspection at the Dhaula unit of Trident Group in Barnala district on Thursday, officials confirmed. The inspection comes amid heightened scrutiny following recent political developments and local complaints about environmental violations.
Background of the Inspection
Rajinder Gupta, chairman emeritus of Trident Group and a Rajya Sabha member, was recently abroad for medical treatment, according to sources. Gupta is among the seven Rajya Sabha MPs who defected from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and merged into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last week. The inspection also follows protests by AAP leaders outside the company's facilities at Dhaula and Sanghera villages just days earlier.
Inspection Details
The PPCB team, comprising around 20 members, collected samples and conducted checks related to air and water quality at the site. The exercise began in the afternoon and continued until late evening. Officials said the inspection was prompted by complaints from local residents about possible discharge of industrial waste and its impact on groundwater. However, the exact findings will only be known after laboratory analysis of the samples and submission of a formal report.
Company Operations and Allegations
Trident operates textile manufacturing facilities at the Dhaula site, including production of terry towels for both domestic and export markets. Some farmers in the vicinity have previously alleged changes in groundwater quality, claiming that tube wells initially discharge brackish water before returning to normal. These claims have not been independently verified.
A company representative stated that they were not informed in advance about the nature of the inspection but maintained that the unit complies with all environmental norms and has installed modern pollution control systems. PPCB officials were not available for comment despite repeated attempts via calls and text messages.
