The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has identified 36 untreated discharge points along Drain No. 6, a major water channel flowing from Panipat through Sonepat before entering Delhi and ultimately joining the Yamuna. The board has initiated action against 36 industrial units during the financial year 2025-26 for violating environmental norms.
According to a detailed report prepared by the Regional Office of the HSPCB in Sonepat, nearly 42.17 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated domestic effluent is being discharged directly into the drain through multiple points in Panipat and Sonepat districts.
Drain No. 6 originates near Samalkha in Panipat and enters Sonepat at Bhora Rasulpur. At the district border, it carries an average flow of 60-70 MLD with a biological oxygen demand (BOD) level of 260 mg/l, translating into an estimated pollution load of 15,600 kg per day.
By the time the drain reaches the Narela-Singhu border and enters Delhi, the flow increases to around 220 MLD. Despite dilution, the BOD level remains high at 78 mg/l, resulting in an estimated pollution load of 17,160 kg per day. The situation is further aggravated by the confluence of Delhi’s Bakner drain, which contributes about 90 MLD of wastewater carrying an additional pollution load of 8,100 kg per day.
The report states that 11 untreated discharge points in Panipat account for 12.9 MLD of effluent, while 25 such points in Sonepat contribute 29.27 MLD. Besides this, around 90.5 MLD of treated wastewater is discharged into the drain through one sewage treatment plant (STP) in Samalkha and four common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) located at Barhi, Rai, Kundli and Murthal.
“Action has been initiated against a total 36 industrial units in the financial year 2025-26, of which 13 have been sealed, 22 recommended for resampling and one unit permanently sealed,” said Ajay Singh, Regional Officer, HSPCB.
He added that inspections conducted across industrial areas in Rai and Barhi revealed multiple violations, including illegal bypassing of untreated effluent into Drain No. 6, prompting enforcement action against the erring units.
