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Hindon River Chokes: Ghaziabad's Pollution Crisis Worsens
14 Jan
Summary
- District magistrate ordered mapping of all Hindon river pollution sources.
- Ten major drains empty sewage into Ghaziabad's Hindon River.
- Over 300 industrial units dump pollutants into the river.
In Ghaziabad, a critical review meeting on Monday led to directives aimed at combating the severe pollution plaguing the Hindon River. The District Magistrate mandated the environment department to precisely map all sources of pollution contributing to the river and to submit weekly progress reports. This initiative also involves coordinating with irrigation department officials to ensure the regular cleaning of the ten major drains that discharge into the Hindon.
The city faces a substantial challenge as its sewage treatment plants are not operating at optimal capacity, leading to the direct dumping of untreated waste into the river. Furthermore, a 2022 report by the UP Pollution Control Board indicated that 310 industrial units across districts, with 220 located in Ghaziabad, are responsible for discharging pollutants, primarily from pulp, tannery, and dyeing industries.
Beyond river pollution, the District Magistrate also instructed officials to remove encroachments from flood-prone areas and ensure construction projects register on the Dust Control App, imposing penalties for non-compliance. Nodal officers are to be nominated on the 'Sameer' portal, with a strict one-week deadline for resolving complaints. Efforts are also underway for the upcoming monsoon season, with departments tasked to verify plantation sites and identify new land for afforestation initiatives.
