CPCB action against units polluting Ganga

Unhappy with the action taken so far by state governments in cleaning the Ganga, the centre has decided to take the matter in its own hands by invoking its powers to close down the industrial units found exceeding pollution standards levels.

So far, the job of cleaning of the Ganga had been entirely with the state governments such as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand with the centre just doling out funds for the purpose. However, the government is concerned over the alarming pollution level in the river. Making it clear that his ministry would not allow things to remain as usual, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said, so far, the Central Pollution Control Board has been depending on section 18 (1B) of the Water Pollution Act and giving directive to the state pollution control boards.

"Now the CPCB will start invoking its powers under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It will issue direct closure or show cause notices where industries are exceeding pollution standard levels," he said.

The move, however, is likely to be seen by the state governments as infringement of their rights. "To begin with we will start taking action against those industrial units flouting norms, which are located at the 500 km stretch of the Ganga starting from Kannauj to Varanasi which is most polluted," he added. "We cannot wait for state pollution boards to carry out actions," Ramesh said.

According to a recent study, the main cause of high level of coliform in the Ganga is disposal of human faeces, urine and sewage directly into the river from its starting point in Gaumukh till it reaches Haridwar via Rishikesh. The situation has arisen despite huge expenditure being incurred on the river through Ganga Action Plan. The apex pollution watchdog has been asked to carry out surveys of all industrial units and issue show cause notices and closure notices to units that are flouting pollution norms. "The CPCB is empowered under the EPA Act and we will now invoke to those powers. This is in addition to all the steps the state pollution board will take," he said.