Officials directed to ensure 100 per cent collection, treatment of sewage before discharge
Yamuna pollution has always been a major issue for Delhi and Haryana. Recently, the BJP-led governments of both states have started taking the issue seriously and made efforts to clean the river. A special Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) has been made to identify polluting points and curb pollution. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has also conducted a detailed study of 11 drain flows from 34 towns of 10 districts in the state that lead to the Yamuna. The study revealed that industrial units in the region have played a major role in polluting the river. In a move to intensify efforts to curb pollution, Vinay Pratap Singh, Chairman, HSPCB, recently visited Panipat and Sonepat district and reviewed the flow of Drains 1 and 2 of Panipat and Drain 6 of Sonepat before issued directions to the officials concerned.
- What did the HSPCB Chairman review during his recent visit?
As part of ongoing efforts under Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) to rejuvenate and restore the river, Vinay Pratap Singh, Chairman, HSPCB, along with officials from different departments of Municipal Corporation (MC), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Irrigation Department, HSIIDC, HSVP and Panchayati Raj, visited Panipat and Sonepat to review the implementation of the action plan and functioning of pollution control infrastructure provided by the different authorities.
- At what sites did the Chairman inspect the drains?
Vinay Pratap Singh visited Drains 1 and 2 in Panipat at the point where they meet Yamuna, Khojkipur village. Later, he visited the entry point of Drain 6 into the river from the Panipat side at Bhora Rasulpur village. He directed the district officials concerned to take comprehensive measures for effective pollution control near the drain outlets. He also visited Bhogipur village, where the common outlet of Barhi common effluent treatment plant (CETP) discharges into the drain. After that he visited siphon point of Drain 6 and DD-8, before visiting the point where the Bakner drain (flowing from Delhi), with its high pollution load, merges into Drain 6. After that he inspected the final exit point of Drain 6 at the Delhi-Narela border. The chairman also interacted with farmers and local villagers, listened to their grievances and assured them of necessary improvements.
- What directions has the Chairman issued to the officials?
After reviewing the condition of Drain 1 and 2 in Panipat and Drain-6 in Sonepat, Vinay Pratap Singh directed the officials concerned to ensure strict compliance with effluent discharge norms and to carry out surprise inspections, taking stringent action against violators. He directed the HOD of HSIIDC to take collective measures and closely monitor the quality of water being discharged from the CETP in Barhi. He directed the departments concerned to ensure 100 per cent collection and treatment of sewage before discharge and instructed them to remove bottlenecks in project execution before taking up the matter with higher authorities within two days. Regional Officers of HSPCB have been told to share monthly data of drains with respect to BOD, COD and TSS with the departments concerned so punitive action can be taken against polluters.
