GURUGRAM: Taking cognisance of the pollution being caused by the industrial units, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) will have stricter and regular monitoring of such units. In a major announcement the officials have stated that the duration set for monitoring the units have also been reduced. Earlier, the HSPCB had categorised the industries into different levels based on the amount of pollution generated.
Around 230 units have been placed under the red category, the highest level for those causing maximum pollution. Most of the automobile ancillary units that have their bases in Gurugram comes under this category. These industries will now be inspected by the officials after every three months as compared to six months earlier. Next in line is 360 units that have been placed under the orange category. The time for inspection of these units has been reduced from two years to one year.
Around 100 industries have been placed under the green category, which are not contributing to pollution. These industries will be inspected every two years as compared to three years earlier. In the past, the state public agency had directed the industries to turn its functioning from coal-based to piped natural gas. Heavy fines were levied on those industries that had not complied with the order.
In Gurugram, out of more than 625 units, at least 74 units have adopted PNG, while at least 160 are in process. Pet-coke and furnace oil, frequently used earlier, were banned in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh by the Supreme Court in 2017. Gurugram is being listed as one of the most polluted cities in the world. Besides pollution from the industries, dust and vehicular pollution also contribute to degrading the air quality of the city.