Shut down unauthorised industries in Solan: NGT to HPSPCB

The National Green Tribunal has directed Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) to shut down all industries operating without obtaining consent from the Board in Solan district.
A Circuit bench at Shimla headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to HPSPCB, Himachal Pradesh and others on a plea filed by Ajay Sipahiya which has alleged that industrial pockets in Solan are causing tremendous air and water pollution.
"We direct the Deputy Commissioner, Solan and the Member Secretary, SPCB, HP to stop operation of all the industries or units which are operating in these areas without obtaining consent from the Board and other appropriate permission from the competent authority," the bench said.

"There is complete failure of environmental protection mechanism in these areas...Issue notice to respondents...," it said while posting the matter for next hearing on October 16.
The Circuit bench also directed the Member Secretary of the HPSPCB, Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board, the Chief Engineer of the Public Health State of Himachal Pradesh and the Deputy Commissioner, District Solan to conduct personal inspection of these industrial pockets.
The petition has alleged that there were 2063 units in these industrial pockets which are operational and 50 per cent of them do not even have consent of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board.

According to the petition, Sirsa river in Solan has been converted into a drain of paper mills, rubber and pharmaceutical industries due to discharge of effluents.
"The emissions have polluted the environment of surrounding areas to the extent that inhabitants are falling sick. The sludge of the industries is being dumped on the road side along with the municipal solid waste," the plea said.