‘Iron, zinc level along Luni bank alarming’

A joint inspection report by the central and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has revealed that the amount of iron and zinc present in soil and sludge samples taken from the banks of the Luni River is far more than the prescribed limit.

The industrial clusters of Balotra, Jasol and Bithuja — where there are more than 700 textile units engaged in printing and dying — are being blamed for this high level of iron and zinc.

Digvijay Singh Jasol had filed a petition with the NGT, following which the green tribunal on February 23 had ordered the two pollution control boards to submit a joint inspection report.

The report has been submitted and the findings will be examined by NGT at the next hearing on July 6. The units release polluted water, which is meant to be treated at the common effluent treatment plants (CEPT) installed at Balotra, Jasol and Bithuja.

The report states that out of the six CETPs installed only four are operational. Polluted water is sent to a reverse osmosis plant after treatment and the treated water is then reused by the units. The residue sludge is passed through a high rate transpiration system (HRTS).

The report has questioned the practice of passing the residue sludge through the HRTS plant. It also points out polluted water leaks and seeps out of the HRTS into the river.