| File Note: |
It is submitted that the industry was granted consent to operate under the provisions of the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 vide no. CTOW/Renewal/BTI/2024/26596464 and CTOA/Renewal/BTI/2024/26595597dated 29.10.2024, both are validity up to 30.09.2025, for the storage of LPG in 4 no. bullets of capacity 1400 MT each, which is received through pipeline from M/s HMEL Refinery and is further used for bottling of LPG in cylinders @ 400 MT/day and LPG filling in road tankers @ 2000 MT/day, subject to the usual conditions along with specific condition that the industry will operate its ETP regularly and scientifically.
Earlier, the industry has applied for renewal of consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 for new name i.e. M/s Meena LPG industries C/o HPCL LPG Plant (Previously Known as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) in the same premises for the storage of LPG in 4 no. bullets of capacity 1400 MT each, which is received through pipeline from M/s HMEL Refinery and is further used for bottling of LPG in cylinders @ 400 MT/day and LPG filling in road tankers @ 2000 MT/day.
The industry was visited by officer of the Board on 26.09.2025 and it was observed as under: -
1. The industry has provided paint booth and water curtain as APCD for painting section. During visit, the water curtains were not working properly, as the holes of water curtains were choked.
2. The industry has installed a biological treatment plant for treatment of effluent generated form painting, washing and testing section. The treated effluent is being discharged onto land for planation inside the premises.
3. The industry only operates the ETP during day hours. As such, the bacteria in the aeration cum equalization tank can’t survive in such conditions.
4. During visit, effluent samples were collected from final outlet of ETP as well as from Aeration tank of ETP. As per analysis report, the concentration of various parameters is within the prescribed limit, however, MLSS is reported as 224 mg/l. Hence, the aeration process is not working properly as mentioned above.
5. The water in the rain water harvesting pits was also in pathetic condition.
6. The industry has not developed dedicated plantation for the disposal of treated effluent; the industry has provided planation along the boundary wall only. Moreover, there is no network for distribution of effluent in scientific manner.
7. The industry has provided 2 buildings for the driver room (one new+ one old) the effluent from this section after treatment is discharged to unknown location by using the mobile tankers.
8. The industry presented the Hazardous waste record, as per which the industry is only managing the ETP sludge and the industry has not maintained any record of category 5.1 (used & spent oil), 33.1(Empty barrels/containers/liners contaminated with hazardous chemicals/ wastes), 21.1 (process water, residue and sludge’s). Moreover, there was no hazardous waste of category 5.1, 21.1 and 33.1 found stored in room.
A show cause notice for refusal of consents to operate under the provisions of Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981 was issued to the industry vide Board’s letter no. 3276 dated 30.10.2025 along-with an opportunity to show cause to explain its position in writing, within a period of 7 days.
The industry has submitted reply on 05.11.2025 of show cause notice issued, which was examined by the Competent Authority and found not satisfactory.
And whereas, after considering the material facts on record, it has been decided by the Competent Authority that the application for renewal of consent to operate applied by the industry under the provisions of the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981 were refused vide no. CTOW/Renewal/BTI/2025/29892469 dated 29.11.2025 under the Water Act, 1974 and vide no. CTOA/Renewal/BTI/2025/29891951 dated 29.11.2025 under the Air Act, 1981.
Now, the industry has reapplied for the renewal of CTO under Water Act, 1974 and Air Act 1974 for the storage of LPG in 4 no. bullets of capacity 1400 MT each, which is received through pipeline from M/s HMEL Refinery and is further used for bottling of LPG in cylinders @ 400 MT/day and LPG filling in road tankers @ 2000 MT/day.
The industry has deposited consent fee under Water Act, 1974 of Rs. 432,000/- vide Receipt No. 294897612 dt. 27.12.2025 and under Air Act, 1981 of Rs. 432,000/- vide Receipt No. 145044756 dt. 27.12.2025, against the fixed assets of Rs. 10275 Lacs shown in CA certificate dated 13.12.2025, which is adequate up to 30.09.2028 under both the acts.
The industry has submitted the compliance report of the special conditions of the Environmental Clearance in annotated form.
The industry has submitted the on-site and offsite emergency plans duly approved by the Distt administration.
The industry was visited on 31.12.2025 by the undersigned along with EE, RO, Bathinda and it was observed as under:
1. The industry was in operation during visit.
2. The bottling of cylinders was in progress along with the process of painting of cylinders.
3. The industry has provided paint booth and water curtain for painting section. The industry has repaired the choked holes and the water curtain was working properly during visit.
4. The industry has installed a biological treatment, ETP for treatment of effluent generated form painting section and washing and testing section which was in operation. The ETP consists of Bar Screen Chamber - Oil and Grease – Equalization Tank- Reaction Tank - Settling Tank - Filters - Treated Effluent Collection Tank - Sludge Drying Bed. The treated effluent was being discharged onto land for plantation, there is no network for distribution of effluent in scientific manner.
5. The industry has not dismantled the unnecessary the rain water harvesting pits.
6. The industry has provided provision for discharge of domestic effluent onto land for plantation after treatment through 3 no. septic tanks in the office section for which the industry has planted trees along the boundary wall.
7. The industry has provided 2 buildings for the driver room (one new+ one old). As per the representative, the orders for installation of new STP have been placed but no PERT chart/ timeline for its completion has been submitted.
8. Meanwhile, the industry has submitted an application for renewal of authorization for HOWM rules, 2016 which is under consideration of the Competent authority.
In the view of above, the industry is not complying with the provision of the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981.
Keeping in the view of above, it is recommended that show cause notice may be issued to industry for the refusal of the consent to operate under the provisions of the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981.
Competency: Hon’ble Chairperson |
