Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Jasmeet Singh Vs State of Himachal Pradesh dated 04/01/2021.

The issue for consideration was the remedial action against pollution of river Balad in Baddi industrial area in district Solan, on account of leakage from the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).

The NGT noted that though a show cause notice was issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) for power supply disconnection, which was not complied with. Also, the CETP had not complied with the environmental norms. Remedial action must be taken by the HPSPCB - by improving quality and reducing the load of inlet so as to be consistent with the designed capacity of the CETP or closing such units contributing to the waste for which the CETP was not designed till the concerned units make their own arrangement for treating the effluents.

The member industries would be considered non-compliant, if they do not undertake primary treatment as per EC conditions of the CETP. The industries having effluent generation more than 200 KLD must be asked to treat the effluents and recycle/reuse to the maximum extent and also reduce fixed dissolved solids (FDS). Wherever required, water audit of red category non-compliant units should be conducted, the NGT order January 4, 2021 said.