Sugar mill fined approximately $1 million for polluting river Ganga in India

Toxic industrial wastes are said to be affecting the Gangetic marine life.

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cracked the whip on industries that have been polluting river Ganga. It has imposed a Rs 5 crore ($0.813 million) fine on Simbhaoli sugar mill and distillery unit and a fine of Rs 25 lakh on Gopalji dairy in Ghaziabad, India. It was hearing an appeal that alleged that the industries were discharging toxic effluents in Phuldehra drain which falls into Ganga through the Syana canal. The application had also alleged that toxic wastes from industries were affecting Gangetic dolphins, turtles and other riparian species.

“There can hardly be any dispute that it is a polluting unit. It is also beyond controversy that this unit has operated without consent of the Boards from 1974 till the year 1991, thereafter, it committed default in compliance of the conditions of the consent right up to the year 2000. Even thereafter, it did not strictly comply with the conditions and directions issued by the respective Boards. This unit is a direct source of polluting River Ganga,” the bench observed.

© TimesOfIndia News