920 industrial units install pollution monitoring devices

The Environment Ministry today said that 920 critically polluting industries have installed real-time monitoring devices at their effluent and emission discharge points in compliance with its directives.
Terming it as a "big leap" in pollution management, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said new industrial units in distillery, textile, tannery and others sectors have been "mandated" to install 24/7 pollution monitoring system and achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).
He also said that installation of ZLDs will become mandatory for all the new units seeking permission to operate.
However, petrochemicals, oil refining and thermal power industrial units have been given a few months' time to install pollution monitoring systems even though the deadline for compliance ended today.

"Last year we mandated installation of 24/7 monitoring system in the 17 industrial sectors across 2,800 industries. Out of that 920 units have installed 24/7 monitoring devices. We have started receiving real-time data on compliance on effluents and emissions. This is a major reform," Javadekar told reporters.
He said another 400 units have also moved towards ZLD.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has started receiving minute-by-minute online data on status of compliance with respect to emissions. This is a big leap in the management of pollution in the country, he said.
He also made a presentation on how the ministry in Delhi is getting real-time data on the emission and effluent levels of various industries.

Asked about the units that missed the deadline, Javadekar said there were industrial units, including oil refineries, which had "technical" problems and discussions were on with each industry.