Firms near Periyar river on notice

KOCHI: Based on a directive of the National Green Tribunal's southern bench, three Central Pollution Control Board teams will reach Kochi on Tuesday for a 10-day inspection of industrial units along River Periyar. The visit will be in two phases — the first from October 18 to 22 and second from October 24 to 28. Senior scientists and environmental engineers of the CPCB are on the team who will be assisted by officials of the State Pollution Control Board.

The NGT instructed the senior officer of the CPCB and the State PCB to inspect all the industries situated on the banks of River Periyar to check the quantity of effluents and sewage discharged into the river and efficacy of their effluent treatment plants. The order was based on a petition filed by Green Action Force and Janajagrutha seeking measures for zero effluent discharge from industrial units in Eloor - Edayar industrial areas.

Though the tribunal instructed to submit the inspection report, the counsel appearing for CPCB sought more time since a large number of industries have to be inspected. "They will be visiting all the 34 industrial units in the area in ten days. They will be checking the effluent treatment facilities, discharge points if any, the volume of effluents and other kinds of pollution if any. There are units which are not directly causing water pollution but responsible for contamination of soil. Apart from it, the expert team will also check dumping of municipal solid waste or sewage to the river," said Thrideep Kumar, environmental engineer, PCB.

Unlike the past inspections or remedial measures, greens say it assumes importance. Since the expert team has vast experience on inspecting and recommending corrective action for such toxic hotspots, observers say, their inspection report will be significant. The report will be the most authoritative and neutral as the delegation is free of any political pressure or influence.