Green brigade sees red over temporary plant suggestion

Mumbai: While the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has maintained that none of the jeans-washing units in Ulhasnagar had sought permission from them, certain politicians have suggested the setting up of a temporary effluent treatment plant (ETP) for the units. Activists claim that the setting up of an ETP for illegal units would amount to the contempt of Supreme Court order. “None of the jeans washing unit has approached us for permissions to operate,” said D.B. Patil, regional officer, MPCB.

After it was brought to the notice of the SC that around 500 jeans washing units are illegally discharging untreated effluents into the Ulhas River, the apex court directed the state to shut down the units and cut off water and electricity supply. However, in a meeting with Ravindra Chauhan, minister of state for ports, medical education, information and technology, food and civil supplies, consumer protection, last month, the workers urged him to speak with the chief minister to arrange a temporary ETP for the units rather than shifting the units or shutting them down.

“Setting an ETP despite the SC order is a sheer violation of law. Any politician that is stepping up for the ETP in the area will have to pay the price, as these jeans washing units are illegal,” said Stalin Dayanand, project director, Vanashakti.

The MPCB has maintained that being only a regulatory body, it cannot provide ETP. “We are not entitled to provide ETP for any industrial units. The industrial units have to set up their own CETP if they have got consent to establish and operate from MPCB,” said P. Anbalagan, member secretary, MPCB. Ambernath MLA, Balaji Kinikar had earlier written to the MPCB for provision of ETP for the jeans washing unit.