Pollution control board shuts two iron factories

RUDRAPUR: In the light of rising pollution and violation of norms, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) issued closure notice to two iron factories, Parmatama Ferro Alloys and Bhagwati Alloys in Bazpur, US Nagar.

“We have closed down the factory on Friday after PCB issued the notice and have started installing new machinery and upgrading the existing ones as per PCB norms,” said Alok Rai, director, Parmatama Ferro Alloys.

“Both the factories were seen flouting PCB norms. There was no arrangement to check pollution. Smoke emitting from the chimneys was dispersed in and around the factory. Even the machineries were not in proper working condition to treat the pollutants,” said Ankur Kansal, regional officer, UEPPCB, Kashipur. He said, “We had issued notices and had given enough time to the factory management to work on the necessary arrangements but nothing was done in this regard. Later, we sent a report to our headquarter in Dehradun and received the instruction to issue a closure notice.” “Acting on the instruction, we issued the closure notice and directed the power corporation to disconnect the power supply to the factories.”

It is to be mentioned that halfa-dozen alloy factories are currently in operation in the industrial area of Bazpur.

In July, notices were served to these factories which were found violating the norms. But the management of these factories did not pay attention to the notice or make the necessary arrangements. “We have been running our factory since 2008 and have never encountered such a situation. We have 100 workers who are currently jobless due to the closure. Even Bhagwati Alloys is facing a similar fate,” Rai said. letters@htlive.com