Govt to modernise sugar mills after NGT cracks whip

An order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has come like a boon for the ailing government-controlled sugar mills in Uttarakhand.

The state government has upgraded the pollution control equipments in all its five sugar mills to save them from the closure. The NGT had recently ordered that these sugar mills should be closed as they were causing pollution in the Ganga river.

In another move, the government has decided to modernis these sugar mill. In the first phase, the modernistion process will start from Nadehi and Baajpur sugar mills.

“We have upgraded our pollution control devices by installing fly arresters and upgrading effluent treatment plants (ETPs) in all the five sugar mills under the government control,” said Vinod Sharma, Secretary Sugar.

A compliance report in this regard has already been submitted to the NGT. The up-gradation process was completed in a record 8-9 months time.

By upgrading the pollution control devices, the level of Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of waste water has come down to 30 mg/L from 50 MG/L in these sugar mills, Sharma said. The government spent Rs 7.56 crore to upgrade the equipments. The five sugar mills where the up-gradation process took place include Nadehi, Baajpur, Sitarganj, Kitchha and Doiwala. The Iqbalpur sugar mill which is in private sector, has also sent the compliance report to NGT in this regard.

The government has also decided to close its Gadarpur sugar mill because it was not getting the required sugarcane. It has also approved Rs 23 crore VRS scheme for nearly 188 employees of the sugar mill. A final decision in will be taken by the state cabinet. The government will also clear Rs 26 crore farmers’ dues pertaining to the Gadarpur sugar mill.