95 Seriously Polluting Industries shut

The state Environment department has closed 95 Seriously Polluting Industries (SPI) following the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Moreover, 43 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPI) were kept under strict monitoring to curb water pollution.

Sovan Chatterjee, the state environment department, said West Bengal Pollution Control Board is working relentlessly to check pollution caused by factories and take necessary steps as and when required.

The factories situated in the vicinity of Ganga River Basin have been identified as SPI and steps have been taken for proper monitoring whether pollution is being created by the factories. Notification has been issued to bring in 43 GPI under the Online Effluent Quality Monitoring System as per the direction of the Central Pollution Control Board.

Following the direction of the NGT, a state level committee has been formed which is comprised of representatives from concerned departments of the state government. The committee has been observing the task taken up to check pollution of Ganga.

It may be mentioned that the state Pollution Control Board has set up 41 stations on important rivers, 12 on banks of major lakes and canals to collect and ascertain the quality of water to assess the level of pollution. At the same time, observation is being carried out at 10 particular places in between Farakka and Diamond Harbour following the national protocol.