New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in its latest compliance report before the National Green Tribunal, has flagged several violations of Consent to Operate (CTO) conditions by an industrial unit, including deficiencies in hazardous waste authorisation, DG set stack height and failure to inform the pollution control board about the plant's shutdown.
The CPCB submitted its report dated August 20, 2026, before the NGT detailing the status of compliance with Environmental Clearance (EC) and CTO conditions. The report was considered by a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad on August 21.
The CPCB found that the unit was established before the enforcement of the EIA Notification, 2006, and therefore the notification relating to EC was not applicable. However, it found a violation concerning two exhaust pipes of the bag-filter suction blowers attached to the Clinker Loading Section.
The CPCB team inspected the unit on August 4 and August 7 but found the plant non-operational on both occasions. It therefore said that the status of housekeeping during operational conditions could not be ascertained and certain pollution monitoring could not be carried out.
The report also recorded that a Coal Based Hot Air Generator (HAG) and an old DG set, along with associated components, were installed at the site but were not part of the CTO. Although the unit's representative stated that the equipment had been abandoned, the CPCB found that it had neither been dismantled nor removed and that heavy dust had accumulated on the equipment.
On hazardous waste, the CPCB found that the unit had obtained authorisation under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 only for used oil under Category 5.1.
However, during inspection, the unit was found to be generating empty barrels under Category 33.1 and cotton rags under Category 33.2 as hazardous waste without obtaining authorisation for these categories.
The report also found a violation concerning the DG set. The unit had installed a 750 kVA DG set with an acoustic enclosure. However, its CTO renewal application mentioned a stack height of 30 metres, while the CPCB team found the stack height to be approximately 10 metres during inspection. The sampling port on the DG set stack was also not found to conform to CPCB guidelines for stack sampling facilities.
Another non-compliance was recorded regarding temporary closure of the plant. The CPCB noted that despite visiting the unit twice, on August 4 and 7, the plant was not operational and no intimation regarding the breakdown or planned shutdown had been given to the HSPCB, as required under the CTO.
The CPCB, however, recorded compliance with several conditions. It said the unit had applied for renewal of its CTO and had incorporated details of the Hot Air Generator in the renewal application, although the furnace was not included in the earlier CTO. The report also recorded that the unit had changed its fuel from coal to biomass, namely paddy straw.
The unit was also found to be handing over used DG-set oil to an authorised recycler. Its logbooks were being maintained, while third-party NABL-accredited laboratory reports submitted by the unit indicated compliance with prescribed limits for the process stack, DG set and STP. However, the CPCB could not independently conduct monitoring because the plant was shut down during its inspections.
The report further stated that the unit was involved in a dry process and therefore no Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) was installed. Domestic wastewater was being treated through a 150 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant located in the residential colony.
The CPCB also found that the unit had stored rice husk in a covered shed for use as fuel in the Hot Air Generator and had not added any air-polluting process or machinery that increased the water pollution load.
Meanwhile, the CPCB sought additional time to standardise the methodology for sampling and analysis of Aluminium, Iron and Silica in ambient air. It told the Tribunal that the process could take another eight weeks and sought 10 weeks to standardise the methodology, collect fresh samples and analyse the three parameters.
The NGT allowed the CPCB's request for 10 weeks and directed that the matter be listed on November 17, 2026. The Tribunal also directed its office to verify and place on record an additional reply filed by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), after its counsel submitted that the defects in the reply had been cured.
The CPCB report also noted that action was to be taken by the HSPCB in respect of the CTO conditions where violations had been recorded, including the condition that the CTO would become invalid in case of violation of the specified conditions. (ANI)
CPCB report flags multiple compliance violations at industrial unit; NGT grants time for fresh air sampling
