NGT allows three Kanpur-based tanneries to operate

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has allowed three Kanpur-based tanneries, which were releasing waste in river Ganga, to resume operations after the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) informed it that they were complying with all environmental norms.

A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim permitted K C Tan Industries, Tajammul Ki Tannery and Sabra Leather Finishers to run their units for a period of one month after which the state pollution control board would conduct an inspection.

The three units had applied to UPPCB for permission to operate. However, the board found certain deficiencies in their units and closed them.

The green panel also noted the submissions of these industries that the effluents were released, after primary treatment by them, to the Common Effluent Treatment Plant run by UP Jal Nigam where they were treated for use in irrigation.

The UP government had told the NGT that hunt for a new site for setting up these leather units, which are a "major source of pollution" in Ganga, is under consideration and would be identified soon.

In a detailed report covering various aspects of contamination in the river, the CPCB had informed the NGT that the Ganga, spanning a distance of 543 km between Haridwar and Kanpur, was affected by 1,072 seriously polluting industries which were releasing heavy metals and pesticides.

At present, 823.1 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage and 212.42 MLD of industrial effluent flow into the river while three of the four monitored Sewage Treatment Plants were non-compliant with the set standards, it said.