Chhattisgarh shuts three polluting industries

RAIPUR - The Chhattisgarh government Saturday forced three industrial units here to shut down production after a state minister found them openly defying pollution control norms.

Official sources said during a surprise check Friday at a cluster of industrial units on the outskirts of Raipur, Environment Minister Rajesh Munat found that electro-static precipitators — an air pollution control device — not working at Indian Steel and Power Private Limited, Agrawal Sponge Iron Private Limited and Devi Iron and Power Private Limited.

These three units are among a total of 145 units spread within a periphery of 3-20 km in the Urla, Siltara and Borjhara industrial areas. These are categorised as ‘red category’ industries because of their high pollution potential.

K.S. Patel, an expert who has carried out extensive research on industrial pollution in the area, said: “Sample results of ambient air being taken out from the industrial area confirm that suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Raipur and Siltara areas are at least 10 times higher than the prescribed limits.”

He said about one million people of Raipur and 40 villages surrounding it are suffering from serious respiratory diseases and skin ailments due to exposure to polluted air, polluted water and soot-coated grain and vegetables.