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It is submitted that the industry was visited jointly by team of officers constituted by Senior Environmental Engineer, Zonal Office, Jalandhar, to conduct the visit and assess the prevailing environmental conditions at the unit. The unit was visited by the officers of this office alongwith Zonal Office, Jalandhar and Zonal Lab with scientific staff on 24.12.2025 in reference to complaint received from local residents regarding ash nuisance in the surrounding residential areas (copy attached) and in pursuance of the telephonic communication with Deputy Commissioner, SBS Nagar.
During the visit, the following observations were recorded:
1. The unit was found operational during the visit. The industry has provided two (02) numbers of 30 TPH boilers. However, during the visit, the boilers of the sugar mill were not in operation, as the steam and power requirement of the unit was being fulfilled through Nawanshahar Power Pvt. Ltd., having a boiler of 70 TPH capacity provided with ESP followed by wet scrubber.
2. The unit has provided Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) followed by wet scrubber for control of flue gas emissions. The wet scrubber was not in operation and the repair work of ESP was found under process at the time of visit.
3. The hoppers provided under the ESP were not properly placed, and no proper ash storage arrangement was found near the ESP. Due to this, fly ash was found lying scattered around the ESP area.
4. The unit has provided a curtain wall only towards the road side; however, no curtain wall of adequate height has been provided towards the residential side, which may cause ash/dust getting air borne towards nearby residential areas.
5. The height of the stack sampling platform was observed to be approximately 70 feet, and the ladder provided was straight, which was found unsafe for climbing. Accordingly, stack sampling could not be carried out during the visit. The industry was advised to provide proper safety arrangements or spiral type ladder with the stack.
6. The unit has not provided secondary storage facility for fly ash generated from the boiler.
7. A large quantity of fly ash/APCD dust and loose bagasse was observed lying unattended around the boiler area, due to which there is possibility of ash being blown to nearby areas.
8. The ETP was found operational during the visit; however, poor housekeeping was observed in and around the ETP area. The effluent sample were collected from the outlet of the ETP and the aeration tank and sent to Zonal Lab for analysis. The result of the same is awaited.
9. The probe of the OCEMS was not adequately placed in the running water at the outlet of the ETP. No lock and key arrangement was found provided with the OCEMS probe and analyzer.
10. The unit has provided two (02) numbers of tubewells for water extraction. The industry could not produce records related to ETP operation and ground water extraction at the time of visit.
11. The unit has provided four (04) number of molasses storage steel tanks, each of 35,000 quintal capacity.
12. The industry was advised to sprinkle treated water on internal roads and vehicle movement areas within the premises to suppress dust emissions.
13. The industry was guided to maintain proper housekeeping near the ESP, ETP and boiler areas and to make effective arrangements for dust and ash suppression.
In view of the above, it is recommended that Show cause notice for violations of the provisions of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 may be issued to the industry with an opportunity of personal hearing before the worthy Chairperson of the Board.
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