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It is submitted that the report/ recommendations sent by RO has been examined and it was noted as under:
# The project proponent has obtained Environmental clearance dated 10/11/2025 for its GH project in land area of 21,978 sqm & built-up area of 83,911 sqm. As per the EC, the total water required of the project is 459 KLD out of which 367 KLD wastewater will be generated which will be treated in proposed STP of 500 KLD capacity based on SBR Technology followed by UF; from which 158 KLD shall be reused for flushing purposes, 31-10-03 KLD shall be utilized for Horticulture demand in an area of 5,679 sqm and remaining 178-199-206 shall be discharged into MC SEWER during the Summer-Winter-Monsoon seasons respectively.
# In the application filed for CTE, the project proponent has given proposal that out of the total waste water generated & treated @ 367 KLD; 158 KLD treated waste water shall be resued for flushing purposes, 159 KLD for onto land for irrigation in an area of 5679 Sqm (Green area earmarked within project to be converted into plantation area) as per karnal technology and 50 KLD mechanical evaporator will be provided “till the sewer connection is obtained.” The said proposal does not appear to be technically tenable, as mechanical evaporation systems are generally designed for handling concentrated or high-TDS industrial effluents generated in controlled quantities, whereas the effluent in question is domestic sewage with variable flow and quality, generated on a daily and continuous basis. Further, mechanical evaporation requires uninterrupted power supply, significant thermal/energy input and highly trained operational staff, failing which there is a strong likelihood of accumulation of untreated/partially treated sewage, odour nuisance and unlikely discharge of effluent into Sewerage network by the Project Proponent. Evaporation of such large volumes of domestic wastewater on a routine basis is thus neither practically feasible nor sustainable as a long-term disposal option.
# Also, the project proponent has proposed in the project report that the green area earmarked on the site plan for parks @ 5679 sqm shall be converted into plantation area as per Karnal Technology for utilization of treated effluent after STP @ 159 KLD and not submitted any undertaking/affidavit confirming that in the event of any dispute/objection from allottees or plot owners, the project proponent shall arrange alternative land for disposal at its own risk and cost.
# It is brought to attention that the Board, through letter no. SEE(HQ-2)/2022/F.No.82 dated 11.03.2022, officially notified the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) regarding concerns over granting Environment Clearances (EC) for projects proposing effluent discharge into public sewers. The letter highlighted that in cities such as Zirakpur and Kharar, existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) lack the capacity to treat additional effluent loads, leading to environmental risks from untreated or partially treated waste. Despite these clear observations and recommendations that ECs should not be granted unless sustainable effluent disposal arrangements are demonstrated, SEIAA has continued to approve projects allowing sewer disposal where STP capacity is inadequate. This has resulted in environmental damage and the adoption of unsafe disposal practices by project proponents. Further, despite a personal hearing with MC Zirakpur authorities on 11.04.2022, as per Board directive, no new project approvals should be granted until necessary infrastructure such as sewer networks, STPs, and disposal mechanisms are established; however, these instructions have not been fully enforced, particularly in Zirakpur, where STP capacity remains insufficient and no permissions for alternate disposal have been submitted. In this regard, the competent authority of the Board, vide D.O. No. 1051 dated 02/11/2022, had also requested the Principal Secretary to Govt. of Punjab, Department of Local Government, Chandigarh to direct the concerned officials not to grant permission to any new project in Zirakpur and Kharar until the proposed new STPs are installed and commissioned, or unless project proponents demonstrate concrete arrangements for reusing the treated water within their premises. The letter further urged that the matter be taken up with PWSSB for timely installation and commissioning of the new STPs.
# The project under consideration is located in Kharar Area and the terminal STP of Kharar is already under capacity.
# The RO has recommended that the 'Consent to Establish' (NOC) under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be refused with the request to reapply the same with correct water calculation chart and adequate disposal arrangement for treated waste water.
In consideration of the report/ recommendations of RO; if approved, the 'Consent to Establish' (NOC) applied by the project proponent under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be refused as the proposal given for disposal of treated effluent is not adequate & technically tenable, without affording any opportunity of personal hearing to the project proponent.
Comp.: Hon'ble Chairperson
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