Ministry of Environment to Address Rising Pollution Levels from Factories Across the Country

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs/PCCs), is implementing the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to prevent and control pollution of environment. CPCB categorizes industries into Red, Orange, Green and White categories, on the basis of Pollution Index (PI) which is a function of potential of water pollution, air pollution, and hazardous waste generation and the same is implemented by the respective SPCB/PCC. Accordingly, the consent is issued to establish/operate to the units in the State/UT by SPCB/PCC. SPCBs/PCCs also monitor the compliance of effluent and emissions discharge standards. In case of non-compliance, action against the unit is taken under provisions of the Water Act, 1974, the Air Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

As per the information, received from SPCBs/PCCs, there are total 5,26,691 operational units (having pollution potential) in the country which includes Red, Orange and Green categories.

Actions such as issuance of show-cause notices/closure directions, are taken in case of violation of environmental regulations, as deemed fit.

State Wise number of complaints received in CPCB during the last three years are enclosed as Annexure-I. The list of factory-wise and state-wise with respect to chemical industries polluting air, water and environment during the last three years and the current year is annexed at Annexure-II. The list of complaints received related to Slaughter houses, Dairy & Tanneries are enclosed as Annexure-III. State wise details of complaints received w.r.t. Agro Based Industries are enclosed as Annexure-IV.

The Government has taken a number of regulatory measures to keep the level of pollution by industrial units under control. The measures taken/being taken inter-alia include;

1. The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India notifies “Standards for Emission or Discharge of Environmental Pollutants from various Industries” under Schedule-I of Environment Protection Rules, 1986. So far, 79 industrial specific environmental standards have been notified. The industrial sectors, for which specific standards are not available, general standards as notified under Schedule-VI of Environment Protection Rules, 1986 are applicable.
2. CPCB has directed SPCBs/PCCs to inspect Red, Orange, and Green categories of industries at a minimum inspection frequency of 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, for verification of compliance of environmental norms. In addition, common waste management/treatment facilities such as STPs, CETPs, CBMWTFs etc., and 17 categories of high pollution potential industries are to be inspected on quarterly basis by SPCBs/PCCs.
3. CPCB has published guidelines on continuous effluent monitoring system on 07.11.2014 and Guidelines for Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems in July 2017. Further, First Revised Guidelines for Continuous Emission Monitoring System has been published in August 2018 and subsequently amended on 04.09.2020.
4. Further, CPCB has directed all 17 categories of high pollution potential industries, Grossly Polluting Industries of Ganga basin and common waste treatment facilities to install Online Continuous Effluent/ Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for strengthening monitoring mechanism and effective compliance through self-regulatory mechanism and constant vigil on pollution levels. Real-time values of environmental pollutants of trade effluent and emissions generated through OCEMS are transmitted online to CPCB and concerned SPCB/PCC on 24×7 basis. Central software processes the data and in case of value of pollutant parameter exceeds prescribed environmental norms, an automatic SMS alert is generated and sent to industrial unit, SPCB and CPCB, so that corrective measures can be taken by the industry immediately and appropriate action can be taken by concerned SPCB/PCC/CPCB.
5. CPCB carries out inspection-cum-monitoring of 17 categories industries and common waste treatment facilities, selected randomly based on SMS alerts, generated through Online Continuous Effluent/Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS), installed in these industries. In case of non-compliance observed, actions as deemed fit is taken as per the provisions of the environmental acts.
6. Regular monitoring of compliance of industrial emission/effluent discharges and other operational activities according to the standards prescribed by MoEF&CC, CPCB and SCBs/PCCs,
7. Critically polluted areas have been identified and Action Plan have been formulated for restoration of environmental quality in these areas.
8. Industries are directed to install necessary pollution control equipment in a time bound manner.
9. Charter for water intensive industries like Distillery, Pulp & Paper, Tannery etc.
10. Emphasis on Cleaner / Best Available Technologies
11. Implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in Textile, Bulk Drug, Distillery etc.

Annexure I

State Wise Number of Complaints received in CPCB during 2021-2024

Annexure-II

List of factory-wise and state-wise details of complaints received by CPCB with respect to Chemical Industries

Annexure-III

List of complaints received related to Slaughter houses, Dairy & Tanneries

Annexure-IV

List of complaints received w.r.t. Agro Based Industries