GPCB issues closure notice to Zydus Cadila research unit

Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has issued a closure notice to pharma major Zydus Cadila's research unit here for allegedly polluting ground water in its vicinity, a senior official said today.
"We received a complaint from people that Zydus Cadila's research unit at Moraiya area on the city outskirts has been continuously discharging polluted effluents to ground water," GPCB regional officer Anil Patel said.
"As per the complaint that ground water has been contaminated due to negligence of the Zydus-Cadila management, a team of GPCB officials inspected the area and found the irregularities," he said.
The GPCB has found that the research unit has violated provisions of the Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1974.

"As per the norms, chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water should be between zero and a maximum of 2 mg/litre. GPCB officials have found a COD value of over 150 mg/litre from water discharged by the unit," said Patel.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a value to measure the amount of organic compounds in water.

"Power-supply to the research wing of Pharma major Cadila healthcare has also been disconnected following the closure notice," he further said.
The GPCB team has also ensured that the Zydus Cadila unit will not be allowed to discharge the polluted effluents and "the team has been strictly monitoring the unit," added Patel.

An e-mail sent to the research unit tonight did not elicit any response.