Ahmedabad CETP Faces Immediate Shutdown

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has issued an immediate closure notice to the Danilimda Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), managed by the Ahmedabad Hand Screen Print Association (AHSPA), over significant pollution violations.

The CETP, which has a capacity of 30 million litres per day (MLD), has been under scrutiny for failing to adhere to prescribed environmental standards. On April 8, the GPCB initially issued a notice demanding compliance with these standards within a month or face closure. Despite AHSPA’s subsequent efforts and the measures implemented to rectify the CETP’s operations, the GPCB granted a one-month extension for compliance. However, a recent inspection revealed persistent irregularities in the plant’s functioning.

GPCB officials conducted an assessment and collected effluent samples over several days, finding that the CETP continued to fail in meeting the required standards. An inspection on June 4 uncovered several critical issues: the tertiary treatment units were not operational, wastewater was found ponding on the premises, and operational logbooks were not maintained. Additionally, approximately 300 tonnes of CETP sludge were improperly stored in HDPE bags on an open plot, and there was inadequate hazardous waste storage. The GPCB’s notice highlighted the severity of these violations, stating, “The CETP is not meeting the prescribed standards at the final outlet even after the passage of two months.” Consequently, the pollution watchdog has mandated the immediate cessation of effluent intake from member units and has disconnected the CETP’s power supply as of Saturday.

The GPCB has directed the CETP to issue a circular to all connected industrial units, instructing them to halt the discharge of effluent into the CETP immediately. Furthermore, the association must conduct intensive, round-the-clock monitoring to ensure no effluent is discharged into the conveyance line of the CETP or the environment by any industrial units. The GPCB also emphasised the need for significant upgrades to the CETP to meet environmental compliance standards. This decisive action by the GPCB underscores the critical importance of stringent adherence to environmental regulations and the necessity for industrial entities to maintain rigorous operational standards. The closure of the Danilimda CETP serves as a stern reminder to all effluent treatment facilities about the repercussions of non-compliance and the imperative to protect environmental integrity.