Gujarat: 38 CETPs join hands to form body, will monitor industrial pollution

Thirty eight organisations running Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in the state have recently formed a federation, which will act as an apex advocacy body. The move comes after a recent order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took strict action again Vapi Green Enviro Ltd for its failure to manage pollution levels in effluents being drained into the Damanganga River. The NGT also ordered Vapi Green to pay a penalty of Rs 10 crore. Individual units not adhering to effluent norms will also have to pay a hefty fine.

The NGT had also asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to monitor the efficacies of CETPs across the country. CETPs will have to submit an action plan for bringing down effluent content within 90 days.

Officials of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and office bearers of 38 CETPs had met to chalk out a roadmap for adhering to the norms for release of effluents. "We have formed a federation of bodies that run infrastructure to treat effluents. A committee has also been formed to act as an interface with the government," said Yogesh Parikh, president of Gujarat Dyestuffs Manufacturers Association (GDMA). The move will help CETPs in joint decision making and making representations to the government.

Shanker Patel, chairman of Vatva Green Enviro Services Cooperative Society Ltd, welcomed the move by the NGT saying that it will bring discipline among CETPs as well as individual companies. "If CETPs fail to adhere to norms, they will face a penalty of Rs 10 crore. Our CETP at Vatva is able to bring down COD level to 450 mg/ltr and we are investing another Rs 50 crore to bring it down to as low as 50 mg per litre," said Patel. He added that in order to bring down concentration of effluents, it is likely that companies may have to reduce production and incur expenditure to upgrade effluent treatment infrastructure.

Other CETPs have also welcomed the strict stand by the NGT. "This pertains to degradation of the environment. All CETPs will have to submit an action plan for upgrading effluent treatment infrastructure in 90 days. Close to 50% CETPs will not have to face major hurdles. However, the COD level of 250 mg per litre is a bit harsh," said Patwari.

According to the NGT's mandate, large units not complying with effluent standards will have to pay a fine of Rs 1 crore, while medium and small units will have to pay Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, respectively. "The fine of Rs 25 lakh for small units is a bit harsh. Close to 97% of all units in Gujarat are small. Expect regulators to be a bit flexible while charging penalties," said Patwari.

ACTION PLAN

• The NGT had also asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to monitor the efficacies of CETPs across the country 
   
• CETPs will have to submit an action plan for bringing down effluent content within 90 days 
   
• GPCB officials and office bearers of 38 CETPs had met to chalk out a roadmap for adhering to the norms for release of effluents