Close down dyeing units polluting Noyyal: HC to Tamil Nadu

Taking strong exception to the continuing discharge of effluents that have poisoned Noyyal river.

Taking strong exception to the continuing discharge of effluents that have poisoned Noyyal river,the Madras High Court Friday ordered that all dyeing and bleaching factories in and around Tiruppur,Tamil Nadus textile hub that supplies hosiery and knitwear to much of India,be immediately closed down.

A Bench of Chief Justice MY Eqbal and Justice TS Sivagnanam,hearing a petition filed by Noyyal River Ayacutdars Protection Association,also directed the State Electricity Board to cut power supply to these units. There are hundreds of small and medium-sized dyeing and bleaching units in and around Tiruppur.

We are fully convinced that unless stringent and deterrent action is taken by ordering immediate closure,the water of Noyyal river cannot be made free from the poisonous substances discharged from these units, the court said.

The units cannot operate untill they achieve zero-liquid discharge as directed by the court four years ago,the High Court said,giving directions to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

All units should be inspected and reports prepared individually for each of them. These reports will be the basis for assessing whether they should be granted permission to operate again,the High Court added.

Pointing out that the authorities had failed to take action on the courts previous directions on the issue in 2003 and 2006,the plea sought strict action against the officials concerned.

The court directed the Pollution Control Board to furnish names of its officers who were in-charge during the period the units failed to comply with the orders of the court so that appropriate action might also be taken against them.

The court will now hear the matter on March 21.