Uttar Pradesh pollution control board imposes penalty of 98 lakh on six group housing societies in Noida

Greater Noida:  A penalty of 98 lakh on six group housing societies in NOIDA is recommended by Uttar Pradesh pollution control board (UPPCB) on Friday for allegedly releasing semi-treated effluents into drains.

Officials said upon inspection, even though the sewage treatment plants (STPS) at the societies were found to be functional, it was found that effluents being discharged had an abnormally high value of total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), as well as unsatisfactory odour and colour.

Noida has one of the most polluted stretches of river Hindon (17kms) and Yamuna (30kms). The penalty recommendation is based on the latest scientific mechanism that considers the intensity of pollution, counter effects on the environment and the number of days of violation.

So far this month, a total of seven housing societies in Noida had been recommended with a total penalty of ₹1,43,50,400 for feeding effluents to drains. Earlier this month in Greater Noida, eight industries were slapped with a total penalty of 70 lakh for the same.

The societies slapped with fines are located in sectors 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 107. Earlier in June, an EC of 35.1 was recommended for a housing society in Sector 137.According to standards set by the central pollution control board (CPCB), effluents being treated must be colourless and odourless and must adhere to a set standard.

In April, following directions from the NGT, the CPCB had asked the UPPCB along with other state pollution control boards to adopt a new mechanism to assess the damage caused by polluters and make them pay dearly for the pollution they caused in the affected area.