Over the past two weeks, close to 3,750 SMSes and e-mail alerts have been issued to industries generating more than the permissible limit of pollutants in the Ganga basin.

As many as 716 grossly polluting industries (GPIs) in the basin are being monitored live round the clock for emission of particulate matter and gases in the air and effluents comprising total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), arsenic, chromium and other harmful chemicals.

The emissions and effluents are constantly monitored at the discharge points such as stacks or chimneys and outlets of effluent and sewage treatment plants. Every 15 minutes, the average value of pollutants is updated and uploaded in the master control room of UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).

Any breach is reported instantly to both the polluting industry and the control room. If the polluting unit does not act on an alert or respond to it, a closure notice would be sent to the unit.

According to the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), every industry has to install sensors for online monitoring of pollutants. The cost of the set-up is to be borne by the industry.

"Industries not installing sensors will have to face closure," said UPPCB member secretary Rajeev Upadhyay

Among the units under monitoring, the highest number is that of tanneries in Kanpur. This is followed by slaughterhouses, and industries of cement, sugar, chemical, fertilizer, biomedical waste incinerator, oil refinery, automobile and pharma, among others.

If a unit does not follow norms, there is a provision to slap heavy penalty. During shutdown time, the unit should inform the board that it is not generating data as it is not functional.

"Appropriate action has been initiated under the water and air pollution control Act for non-compliance," said UPPCB webmaster Pradeep Sharma.

GPIs are those which discharge effluents having BOD load of 100kg into the water course or those handling hazardous substances, or both.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/