Question : Evaluation of Pollution Standards

(a) whether the Government has evaluated the pollution standards of the industries situated along the river Ganga;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has come across any instances where the industries are not complying with the pollution standards and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has issued advisories to the industries on the pollution limits and compliance standards; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) to (e) Yes, under the Namami Gange Programme. Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) located on main stem of river Ganga and its tributaries are monitored at regular frequency by CPCB /State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) for verification of their compliance status with regard to consent condition imposed by respective State Pollution Control Board and industry specific discharge standards.

Directions for installation of Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) have been issued by CPCB for assessment of effluent quality and compliance status. SMS alert on Non-compliant status is shared with CPCB/SPCB/Industry /Local Administration (DM Office).

Further, Implementation of water conservation/ water re-use, process modification and adoption of cleaner technologies including up-gradation/ modification of effluent treatment plant to meet the stipulated norms (quality and quantity) for 5 key industrial sectors namely Distillery, Pulp & Paper, Sugar, Textile and Tannery located in 5 Ganga States have also been initiated. CPCB has prepared charter/action plan for upgradation of manufacturing process technology, ETP system and adoption of best practices for Pulp & Paper, Distillery, Sugar and Textile sector. Expert Institutions, Industry Associations and State Government Departments are involved in effective implementation of these charters.
Contd…P/2
//2//
Besides, since 2017, GPIs are also inspected on annual basis for compliance verification of the pollution norms and process modification, wherever required through third party technical institutes. Action is taken by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)/State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) against the Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) discharging into main stem of Ganga River & its tributaries (Kali-East & Ramganga) which are non-complying with the prescribed norms and non-connectivity of On-line Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS).

In 2018, 12 institutes were involved which carried out inspection of 961 GPIs during
April – July, 2018 along with concerned SPCBs and State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCGs)/ District Ganga Committee (DGC). Out of 961 inspections carried out (952 by Third Party technical institutes + 9 by CPCB) in 2018, 636 are complying and 110 are non-complying and 215 are self-closed. Action has been taken on 110 non-complying industries in which 110 GPIs are issued closure directions under Section 5 of the E(P) Act.

In 2019-20, 1072 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) have been identified on main stem of river Ganga after re-inventorisation exercise carried out by CPCB. Inspection of 1072 GPIs has been commenced by 17 third party technical institutions in April 2019. As on 24.06.2019, inspection of 316 GPIs has been completed.


*****