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It is submitted that the industry is a service station which was granted consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Renewal/LDH2/2021/16006618 dated 30/06/2021 and under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide no. CTOA/Renewal/LDH2/2021/16006664 dated 30/06/2021 both are valid upto 30/06/2026.
Thereafter, the consent to operate granted under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to the industry was revoked by the Board vide letter no. 5323 dated 19.09.2024.
Thereafter, the industry was visited by officer of the Board on 22.07.2025. During the visit, several non-compliances were observed:
1. The ETP was not functioning efficiently due to inadequate chemical dosing.
2. The industry did not maintain required records of water usage, effluent treatment, and electricity consumption.
3. The industry has not applied for consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and authorization under the Hazardous and other Waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
4. The plantation area for treated effluent reuse was inadequate.
5. Additionally, hazardous waste was stored in an unsegregated manner, and poor housekeeping led to oil spillage reaching a nearby drain, posing a risk of water contamination.
Accordingly, the industry was given hearing before the CEE, Ludhiana on 11.09.2025 and after hearing the industry it was decided that:-
1. The industry shall not operate its washing section without prior permission of the Board.
2. The industry shall apply for varied consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as well as authorization under the Hazardous and other Waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, within 07 days.
3. The industry shall impart better housekeeping practices to prevent oil spillage and accumulation of dust or pollutants and store hazardous waste in scientific manner.
4. The industry shall apply for 'Consent to Establish' (NOC) under the provisions of Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 of the Board for new location before the start of any construction/ development activity.
5. Environmental Engineer, Regional Office-2, Ludhiana shall visit the industry to verify the contentions made by the industry during hearing, seal the washing machinery and submit the report alongwith recommendation in the matter.
Accordingly, the industry was visited by the AEE of this office on 30.10.2025 During the visit, the washing station has been sealed in the presence of Sh. Nishant Verma, GM Service and Sh. Ranjit Singh, Service head. The industry has installed water meter at the final outlet of ETP for reusing in washing whose reading was noted as 4969.0 KL and fresh water line with reading noted 999.4 KL. The record has been verified from record register.
Now, the industry has applied for fresh consent to operate under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 alongwith requisite documents and with request to deseal the washing section. The industry has deposited Rs. 20900/- vide e-R No. 711554610 dated 15.10.2025 (Rs. 16800/- water & Rs. 3600/- as NOC regularization fees) under Water Act, 1974 & Rs. 8400/- vide e-R No. 424496740 dated 15.10.2025 under Air Act, 1981 against the un-depreciated fixed assets of Rs. 116.36 Lacs as on 09.10.2025, which is adequate upto 30/09/2026 under Water Act, 1974, as per Board's Office Order dated 29/10/2018 after deducting 200% penalty fee.
Accordingly, the industry was visited by the AEE of this office on 24.12.2025 During the visit, it was observed as under:-
1. The industry is engaged is business of washing/service of four wheelers vehicles. The washing section was not in operation and seal provided to the washing section was intact.
2. The industry has installed 1 no. paint booth alongwith proper duct line for the discharge of exhaust gases.
3. The industry has installed ETP based on physic chemical treatment and same was in operation. The component of ETP consist of collection tank, Oil & grease trap, flash mixer, tube settler, dual filter.
4. The industry has installed water meter at the final outlet of ETP for reusing in washing whose reading was noted as 4969.0 KL and fresh water line with reading noted 999.4 KL.
5. The industry has installed 2 D.G. sets of capacity @ 82.5 KVA, which is equipped with canopy.
6. Domestic effluent is being discharge onto land for plantation after passing through septic tank.
7. Housekeeping of the industry is satisfactory.
It is further submitted that the service station has also obtained NOC for establishment of new unit at Village Jugiana, Hadbast No.244, Sub Tehsil Sahnewal.
In the subject cited case, the industry has mentioned ground water extraction @ 1.0 KLD. Considering 25 working days per month, ground water extraction will be 25 KL/month, which is less than 300 KL/month.
It is therefore recommended that :-
1. The request of de-sealing of washing section may be considered.
2. Consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 & Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be granted upto 30.06.2026 with suitable conditions as per policy of the Board. (Competency – Senior Environmental Engineer).
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