In a major enforcement drive against industrial pollution, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has taken a stern step by recommending the disconnection of electricity supply to 25 to 30 electroplating units in Ludhiana. This decisive action targets units that have repeatedly violated environmental regulations, posing a serious threat to local water bodies.
Widespread Violations Uncovered in Inspection Drive
The recommendation to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) follows an extensive inspection campaign conducted by the PPCB. Officials checked between 200 to 250 electroplating units scattered across various parts of the industrial city. Shockingly, the drive revealed that approximately 80 units were operating in clear violation of established environmental guidelines.
Despite previous warnings and penalties issued in earlier rounds, a significant number of units continued their non-compliant operations. A senior PPCB official stated that the units now facing power disconnection are repeat offenders who failed to mend their ways after initial punitive measures.
Alarming Practices Endangering Water Sources
The inspections brought to light several hazardous practices. Many units were found discharging untreated industrial wastewater directly into the environment. In a particularly concerning finding, some units that were formally connected to Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) were deliberately bypassing these systems.
"They were releasing polluted water directly into the sewer network," the official explained. Additionally, several units were operating without the necessary permissions from the regulatory body, highlighting a blatant disregard for the law.
Direct Threat to Buddha Dariya
The PPCB has underscored the severe environmental consequences of these violations. The untreated industrial waste entering the sewers eventually flows into the Municipal Corporation's sewage treatment plants (STPs). These STPs are not designed to handle toxic industrial effluents.
As a result, the hazardous waste risks flowing untreated into the Buddha Dariya, significantly worsening the pollution levels in the already stressed water channel. "The board cannot allow such practices to continue," the official emphasised, highlighting the urgency of the action.
PPCB Chief Engineer R K Ratra clarified the board's intent, stating that the ongoing campaign against polluting industries will persist. He asserted that the goal is not to intimidate businesses but to ensure they operate responsibly. "The intention is to ensure they act responsibly and take care of the environment and people living around them," Ratra said. The move signals a tougher stance on industrial pollution in Punjab's manufacturing hub.
