The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a committee to investigate alleged violations of environmental norms by approximately 250 electroplating units and the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) operating in Faridabad's Sector 58 industrial area. The committee, comprising officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), and the Faridabad Deputy Commissioner, has been directed to inspect the site, verify allegations, and recommend remedial measures along with potential penalties. A report is due within eight weeks.
Petitioner's Allegations
The petitioner, Narendra Sirohi, a resident of Faridabad, alleged that some electroplating units, despite being connected to the CETP, are discharging industrial effluent into open land and natural drains through tankers. Additionally, the CETP is allegedly not linked to the Continuous Emission/Effluent Monitoring System (CEMS), which is used for real-time monitoring of emissions and effluents. Sirohi also claimed that mandatory disclosures and performance-related requirements under the Environmental (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2024, are not being complied with. He cited an RTI response dated March 3, 2026, stating that no adequacy report of the CETP was available with the HSPCB.
NGT Observations
The NGT bench observed that the matter raises a “substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms” and issued notices to the concerned units. The petitioner argued that the Environmental (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2024, require state pollution control boards to upload the quarterly performance status of CETPs and restrict expansion or addition of member industries where treatment facilities lack adequate capacity or are non-compliant.
CPCB Report Findings
According to the CPCB's Annual Activities Report under the Namami Gange Programme, 2023, the CETP located at the Faridabad Electroplaters Association in Sector 58 has a design capacity of 0.65 million liters per day (MLD) and serves about 210 industrial units. The report recorded an operational capacity utilization of 98%. However, it also noted a “trivial violation” in 2023, with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels recorded at 78 mg/l against the prescribed norm of 30 mg/l for discharge into a surface water body. The pH level was reported at 6.29 against the prescribed range of 6.5-8.5.
Petitioner's Statement
“The pollution issue in the electroplating zone has persisted for years despite repeated complaints. The purpose of approaching the NGT is to ensure an independent verification of the functioning of the CETP and compliance by member industries. We hope the committee’s inspection will bring out the ground reality and lead to corrective action,” Sirohi said.
Next Steps
The Faridabad Deputy Commissioner will act as the nodal agency for the joint committee. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 24, 2026.
