CPCB orders Manali Petrochemicals plant to be shut down; Directs Tangedco to disconnect power

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

Central Pollution Control Board has ordered Manali Petrochemicals (Plant I) to close down operations for non-compliance of environmental norms with immediate effect.

It has also sent in a mail to state electricity board requesting it to disconnect electricity supply of the unit and allow supply only for domestic and security reasons.

According to information available with Express, the plant, which was inspected by the regional directorate of Central Pollution Control Board from Bengaluru, was found to be non-complaint while releasing effluents.

The report by CPCB states that analysis of treated effluent samples collected from Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) outlet of Manali Petrochemicals found that Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 114 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre which is greater than the 100 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre.

Similarly, the study also found that Chemical Oxygen demand (COD), the total measurement of all chemicals (organics & in-organics) in the water or waste water, is 476 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre which is greater than that of 250 milligrams per litre prescribed by CPCB.

Similarly, during the stack monitoring in boiler of the plant, the concentration of particulate matter (PM) parameter was alarmingly high. The CPCB reported it as 474 mg per cubic metre which exceeds the parameter of 100mg per cubic metre.

Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream.

Any exposure to above 250mg per cubic metre is very hazardous. It would cause serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. It also poses serious risk of respiratory effects in general population.

Similarly, the suphur-dioxide (SO2) parameters was also found to be alarmingly high of 3,457 milligrams per cubic metre which is double than the prescribed 1700 milligram per cubic metre. This is considered as severe level of pollution .

Petrochemical industries comes under one of the 17 categories of highly polluting industries which have been discharging environmental pollutants directly or indirectly into the ambient air and water having potential threat to cause adverse effect on the air and water quality.

A spokesperson of Manali Petrochemicals told Express, "We are in the process of addressing the concerns of CPCB.”

Interestingly, this direction from CPCB comes after they have issued showcause notice to their other plant last month for failing to comply with the environment norms.

It is learnt that during the inspection by regional directorate of Central Pollution Control Board officials in Bengaluru on September 25, 2018, the Online Continuous Emission/Effluent System (OCEMS) found that the carbon monoxide (CO) exceeded the parameter during the month of July and August 2018.

Factfile:

1.  CPCB directs Manali Petrochemicals (plant I) to shut down operations.

2.  Analysis by CPCB found that Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 114 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre which is greater than the 100 milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre.

3.  Concentration of particulate matter (PM) parameter was reported as 474 mg per cubic metre which exceeds the parameter of 100mg per cubic metre.

4.  The suphur-dioxide (SO2) parameters was also found to be alarmingly high of 3,457 milligrams per cubic metre which is double than the prescribed 1700 milligram per cubic metre.