Govt to upgrade three CETPs into ZLD units: Javadekar

The Environment Ministry has planned upgrading of three common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), which treats the discharge of 440 highly-polluting tanneries on the main stem of river Ganga, into zero liquid discharge (ZLD) units.
Terming cleaning of Ganga as a "top" priority, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said there are 630 industries of highly-polluting nature, out of which 440 are tanneries and presently Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) regarding it.
"We have decided to bring tanneries under ZLD. All water will be recycled. We have already planned a complete upgradation of these CETPs to achieve ZLD. CLRI is preparing the DPR which will be ready by next month," Javadekar said.

As for the 440 tanneries, its effluents are treated at three major CETPs located in Kanpur, Banthar and Unnao.
Noting that the actual work will begin shortly thereafter, Javadekar said the central government will extend 50 per cent subsidy for these CETPs and the remaining will be met by state government and the industry concerned.
"We expect the upgradation of CETPs to be completed soon," he said.

Javadekar said that out of the remaining 190 industries, 80 units have already installed the 24/7 monitoring devices and 30 units have placed orders of procuring them. Therefore, 110 out of 190 units have moved towards compliance, he said.

He said that new industrial units in distillery, textile, tannery, chemicals, fertilizers and others have been mandated to achieve ZLD from the commissioning along with installation of 24/7 monitoring systems.
The existing units in these sectors are required to switch over to ZLD in a time-bound manner. Since they will be moving towards ZLD, they are required to install web cameras instead of continuous effluent monitoring devices.
CPCB along with industry are continuously making progress towards all these aspects. Similarly there are another 440 industries which are small in nature and their discharge is treated through CETPs which will also be monitored through 24/7 devices installed at both inlets and outlets.

Asked about the joint meeting of neighbouring states for checking pollution in Delhi, Javadekar said the next meeting is expected to take place in July where ministers of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan will take part.
He said that representatives of all the corporations as well as other stakeholders like Traffic police will meet and present their one and three year plans of controlling pollution.