Hero Steels fined Rs 10 lakh for discharging untreated effluent into sewer

Ludhiana, August 9, 2022: Coming down heavily on water pollution in the rivers of Punjab, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) today imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on M/s Hero Steels Limited, Giaspura, Ludhiana for discharging the untreated acidic effluent through a pipeline into the sewerage system.

In a press statement issued here today, Gulshan Rai, Chief Environmental Engineer, PPCB informed that a host of environmental concerns stem from the river pollution in the State. The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government is concerned about the matter of water pollution in the State and is taking every possible step to eliminate the water pollution.

So working in this direction, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is carrying out regular surprise checks on the water polluting units to ensure that the effluent are treated properly and no untreated effluent from any industry is discharged in the sewerage system of the city. One such instance come upon wherein the PPCB officials during the night surveillance of M/s Hero Steels Limited, Giaspura, Ludhiana for discharging the untreated acidic effluent through a pipeline into the sewerage system.

The samples were collected on the spot and the matter was immediately brought in the notice of the Higher Officials of the PPCB. Acting on the matter, PPCB has issued closure directions to the unit and has disconnected the electric supply available to the unit. The industry has been imposed Rs. 10 Lakh as Environmental Compensation and has also been directed to deposit bank guarantee of Rs. 50 Lakh as an assurance for not carrying any such unauthorized activity in future.

The industry has also been directed to spend Rs. 10 lakh towards the improvement of Environment in the nearby locality and prepare a detailed scheme for the same.