Home / Environment / Agra Paper Mills Under Fire for Delhi Waste Burning
Agra Paper Mills Under Fire for Delhi Waste Burning
3 May
Summary
- UPPCB directs paper mills to partner with IIT Roorkee for assessment.
- Concerns rise over burning of Ghazipur landfill waste in Muzaffarnagar.
- Mills allegedly burn hazardous materials, worsening air quality.
Paper mills in Muzaffarnagar are facing an investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) following resident and activist complaints about air pollution. Concerns have been raised that these mills are utilizing refuse-derived fuel (RDF) sourced from Delhi's Ghazipur landfill, commonly known as the "garbage mountain."
The alleged burning of this waste is reported to be causing foul odors and a decline in air quality in surrounding areas. In response, the UPPCB has mandated that the implicated paper mills establish memorandums of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee. This collaboration aims to conduct a technical assessment of the mills' boilers and pollution control systems.
Regional officer Geetesh Chandra of the UPPCB confirmed that inspections are in progress, with a portion of the operational mills already assessed. The evaluation will focus on emission levels and the effectiveness of existing pollution control measures. While some mill representatives acknowledge using treated waste material, local activists raise concerns about the potential burning of hazardous substances like plastics and heavy metals, which would contravene industrial regulations.
