The UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has ordered to shut down Continental Carbon India Ltd (CCLL) situated along NH-24 with immediate effect. The move comes after the district pollution board had recommended the immediate closure of CCLL, a leading carbon black manufacturing MNC, after it was found that the firm had violated the provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, adding to air pollution in the vicinity.
Ajay Sharma, regional officer, district pollution board, said, "On March 30 a show cause notice was issued to CCLL over air pollution but there was no satisfactory reply. This was followed by an inspection by a team of pollution board officials and it was found that no pollution control measures were in place on the chimney."
He further said, "Minute carbon particles were strewn all over the factory premises and PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be in excess to the prescribed standard. This is a clear violation of the provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and we recommended closure of CCLL. Then the UPPCB in a letter dated December 13 ordered immediate closure of CCLL."
A team of officials from the administration visited CCLL. "We disconnected electricity and water supply of CCLL. However, we came to know that the factory generates its own electricity and sought time till December 15 for total compliance citing technical reasons," said Indu Prakash, additional city magistrate.
Avinash Matto, general manager of CCLL, said, "We will comply with the order but it won't be possible to shut down his plant immediately as production of carbon involves chemical reaction at very high temperature. It needs about two to three days’ time to completely shut operation. The plant will be shut down by December 15."
Four other factories mostly involved with dyeing have also been issued the closure notice by UPPCB.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/