NGT seeks details of industries in Rajasthan's Alwar district

The National Green Tribunal today directed Rajasthan government and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit details of industries in Bhiwadi and Khuskhera industrial areas in Alwar district on a plea seeking prohibition on discharge of effluents from these units.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi issued notice to the state government, CPCB and others while seeking their replies by May 12, the next date of hearing.
"It's a serious matter. We will look into it. In the meanwhile, respondent nos. 1 (Rajasthan government) and 2 (CPCB) shall place before us the details of the industries in Bhiwadi and Khuskhera industrial areas in Alwar district, Rajasthan," the bench said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Sumitra Devi, a local ward member of Dharuhera Municipal Committee and others highlighting the menace of water pollution faced by local residents of about 20 villages caused by the Bhiwadi and Khuskhera industrial areas.
"The discharge of untreated heavy industrial effluents (containing dangerous chemical and radioactive substance) is contaminating the environment (air and water) and making it dangerous, poisonous and unfit for living a healthy life," the plea filed through advocate Satya Narayan Vashishth said.
It said that the state has failed to take any strict legal action against the industries that are discharging the waste and untreated waste industrial effluents in the water.

"The discharge of such waste without proper treatment plan results in pollution of the water and violates the provisions of EP Act, 1986 along with its rules and the Water Act, 1974," the plea said.