Vapi industries pledge to cut down pollution level

“The decision to lift the moratorium was taken by a steering committee in New Delhi under the Ministry of Environment and Forests,” said B R Naidu,CPCB Regional Officer. “This is a message to the industry owners that the Ministry is not against development but one has to be serious about adhering to norms,” he added.

However,according to a CPCB report,till June,Vapi was not meeting GPCB norms but had shown a marginal improvement as compared to the last year.

As per the report,the Vapi Common Effluent Treatment Plant showed Chemical Oxygen on Demand (COD) level at 440 milligram per litre against 250 mg/l set by GPCB; Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level at 137 mg/l against the set level of 100 mg/l; and total dissolved solids levels were at 8340 mg/l against the set level of 2100 mg/l.

While the Ministry has lifted the moratorium at Vapi,Ankleshwar continues to be on its watch list and the moratorium there has been extended till March 31,2011. Recent damages in the Final Effluent Treatment Plant pipeline,which is managed by Bharuch Eco Aqua Infrastructure Limited (BEAIL),has reportedly led to the extension of the moratorium in Ankleshwar.

“A few rotten apples among the industries have spoiled Ankleshwar,” said a GPCB official.