Demand to free Ankleshwar from critical zone list

VADODARA: Industrialists and officials of the state pollution board are claiming that pollution level in Ankleshwar has reduced to a large extent, but the industrial belt is still listed among the 24 identified 'problem areas' in the country. It was included in the list after several chemical industries located in the region generated a lot of pollution.
Almost 15 years have passed since then, but Ankleshwar continues to be among the 24 identified 'problem areas' in the country.Several representations have been made by industrialists from time to time to the pollution boards and the state government to lift the region from the list, claiming that pollution level has gone down.
"There has been tremendous environment-related infrastructural growth in Ankleshwar. When the industrial belt was incorporated in the problem area, it did not even have a waste treatment plant. But now, we have common effluent treatment plant for even small scale industries," says Ashok Panjani, executive director of United Phosphorus Limited. "Even training programmes are held to educate entrepreneurs on environment-related issues."
Industrialists claim that the town has set up world class facilities, including a 44 km common conveyance pipeline. The common conveyance pipeline will have its outlet 10 km inside the deep sea at Hansot. The cost of the project is Rs 130 crore and is likely to be ready from November. The industrial town also has a solid waste disposal site.
Ankleshwar Industrial Association (AIA) had sent a report to the state government giving details on the steps taken by the association over the years in reducing the pollution level in the area.
"As the belt is listed in the critical zone, it takes a lot of time for any environment clearance,which delays a project. It has also led to many industries hesitating in investing even though there has been tremendous infrastructural growth," says Atul Buch, president of AIA.
Sources, however, say that it is the responsibility of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to review the situation.
"There has been no concerted effort from the government and the industry to compile data and demand the lifting of Ankleshwar from the polluted zone list," says an official in the state government.
GPCB chairman K V Bhanujan says that the situation has improved to a large extent. When asked why Ankleshwar continues to be in the critical zone, he said, "CPCB has reviewed the action plan and was impressed with the steps taken to reduce pollution.
They gave some more suggestions. As of now, we can't say when Ankleshwar would be lifted from the zone." "We have sent a report to the pollution board and the state government and have got a positive response," adds Buch.