Home / Environment / Panipat Bleach Houses: Closure Orders vs. Recovered Fines
Panipat Bleach Houses: Closure Orders vs. Recovered Fines
28 Jul
Summary
- Over 132 bleach units ordered closed by pollution board since 2016.
- Environmental compensation recovered in only three out of 132 cases.
- Delays attributed to higher authority observations and ongoing processes.
Between 2016 and 2025, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) issued closure orders for 132 bleach houses and bleaching units in Panipat. However, a recent RTI reply revealed a stark enforcement gap, with environmental compensation (EC) recovered in only three instances.
Most cases were marked as 'order awaited' for EC, with HSPCB stating that recommendations for compensation in 32 NGT-linked cases are pending higher authority observations. Prosecution against these units is currently underway.
Compensation was recovered from Unique Enterprises for Rs 3.5 lakh in 2024, and from two other bleach houses in Jatal village for Rs 2.12 lakh and Rs 1.75 lakh in 2019. These incidents underscore a persistent challenge in recovering damages for environmental violations.
Bleaching units, crucial for Panipat's textile sector, treat fabrics using harsh chemicals. Their untreated wastewater poses significant risks to drains and groundwater, necessitating strict pollution control measures.
