Notices issued to two industries for polluting water

Shimla: After thousands of fish were found dead in Chikni river below the Jagathkhana bridge in Nalagarh industrial area of Solan district due to the alleged discharge of untreated effluents into the river by industrial units, state government has issued notices to two industries seeking explanation from them on the issue.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said large-scale fish fatalities was a matter of concern and state government would ensure proper treatment of effluents by industries in a more scientific manner.

Villagers had spotted dead fish floating on the water in large number at Jagathkahana bridge on Friday after which they demanded action against the industries for polluting the river water.

The CM said he had immediately asked to issue the notice against the erring industries as soon as the matter was brought to his notice. He said further action would be initiated by the government once the reply of notice was received from the industries.

“Government is serious in stopping industrial water pollution by ensuring the effluents are properly treated before their release,” he added.

On the issue of pollution in Balad river in Baddi industrial area of Solan district due to leakage of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the CETP operator, on March 1 earlier this year, to furnish performance guarantee of Rs 25 lakh. The tribunal had said there were serious deficiencies in working of CETP.

According to a report, “River Stretches for Restoration of water Quality”, prepared by Central Pollution Control Board and released in September last year, seven river stretches in Himachal Pradesh have been identified as ‘critically polluted’ where the ‘biological oxygen demand’ levels are below permissible limits. Such rivers include Sukhana, Markanda, Sirsa, Ashwani and some stretches of Beas, Giri and Pabbar. Of these, Sukhana, Markanda and Sirsa are worst affected.