PPCB meet dyers’ association over pollution-related issues

LUDHIANA: Officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board conducted a meeting with members of Punjab Dyers Association on Friday night to discuss the issues being faced by their industry on Tajpur road.
The dyeing industry was informed that the chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, had issued a public notice advising all dyeing industries to voluntarily declare and dismantle/plug any bypass facility by November 6.With the last date over now, the board would be carrying out extensive surveillance from now onwards to ensure that there was no illegal discharge by any dyeing industry of Ludhiana.
The problem of air pollution was also deliberated in detail and the dyeing industry on Tajpur road were suggested about various measures to control the black smoke generated from the chimneys of these industries.
Sandeep Bahl, senior environmental engineer, said that the CETP project which was meant to tremendously reduce the water pollution level of the Buddha Nullah was not even sanctioned till November, 2019, and within just one year, the central government had released Rs 13.5 crore. Of the sanctioned central grant of Rs 15 crore the state government has released the entire state subsidy of Rs 7.5 crore for the execution of the project, which is now expected to be completed by December 31.
He said that during the current Covid situation, the responsibility was of the industry to control air pollution as the virus primarily attacked the lungs and the problem of air pollution would certainly increase the severity of the disease. He appealed to the dyeing industry to refurbish and diligently operate their pollution control devices.
During the meeting, Ashok Makkar, chairman, Punjab Dyers Association, said that the CETP for Tajpur road dyeing cluster had now taken a practical shape and was becoming a reality soon. Bobby Jindal, director, Punjab Dyers Association, ensured full cooperation of the dyeing industry towards preservation of environment and said they had been issued necessary directions by the association to upgrade their air pollution control systems to ensure that no black smoke was generated from the chimneys.