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It is intimated that the industry is a small-scale red category unit and was granted consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Renewal/LDH1/2018/7643000 dated 11.06.2018 valid up to 30.06.2023 for discharge of treated trade effluent @ 100 KLD and domestic effluent @ 0.5 KLD into sewer.
The Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Government of Punjab considering all the aspects of the matter has issued directions u/s 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 vide letter dated 10.10.2019 that industrial effluents and dairy waste whether treated / partially treated or untreated shall not be discharged into municipal sewer. A meeting was taken by Competent Authority of the Board on 13.07.2022 to review the compliance of directions u/s 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 issued dated 10.10.2019, wherein it was decided that all the water polluting industries (except garment washing and service stations) discharging their effluent into municipal sewer, Ludhiana shall take adequate steps to stop discharging their industrial effluent into municipal sewer, Ludhiana by 31.03.2023 and period of consent be reduced suitably to ensure compliance of the directions given by the Govt. Some other decisions were also taken. In compliance to the decisions, the validity of consent to operate granted to the industry under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was curtailed upto 31.03.2023 with a special condition that the industry shall take adequate steps to stop discharging their industrial effluent into municipal sewer, Ludhiana by 31.03.2023. The industry has failed to achieve effluent standards as prescribed by the Board and discharging untreated effluent into sewer. Accordingly, the industry was issued notice u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 with opportunity of hearing before the Chairman of the Board on 15.03.2023, wherein decisions earlier taken were reiterated and other decisions are as under: -
Interim Environmental compensation of Rs. 50,000/- is imposed on the industry based on best assessment and judgment. The proceeding of personal hearing held before Chairman of the Board on 15.03.2023 were conveyed to industry vide letter no. 1642 dated 17.04.2023. Directions u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 were issued that the industry shall not discharge its industrial effluent into municipal sewer after 31.03.2023, vide letter no. 1694 dated 19.04.2023.
The industry has failed to comply with the directions issued to it to stop discharging its industrial effluent into municipal sewer after 31.03.2023 as verified during visit on 16.05.2023.
The industry was issued notice to issue directions u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 with opportunity of hearing before the Chairman of the Board on 30.06.2023, wherein it was decided that the industry shall immediately dismantle and remove all outlets and shall stop discharging its trade effluent into sewer and the Authorities of Municipal Corporation Ludhiana shall immediately disconnect the sewer connection available to the industry for disposal of its trade effluent.
The industry was visited by officer of the Board on 30.10.2023 and it was observed that the industry was in operation and has not complied with the directions. There is a pending matter in the NGT vide O.A. no 225/2022 & O.A. no. 546/2024 Buddha Nallah case, Ludhiana, wherein it is mentioned that 26 dyeing units in industrial area-A of Ludhiana & 16 other scattered dyeing units which are not connected with any CETP are directly discharging the effluent in Municipal drain/ sewer. Directions are being issued for compliance by the Hon’ble Tribunal and the matter is being heard from time to time. The matter regarding the scattered industries which are not connected to the CETP and have not adopted alternative measures like ZLD is under the consideration of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal in O.A NO. 546 of 2024 and O.A. No. 225 of 2022. The Hon’ble Tribunal in orders dated 27.11.2024 has directed the Board to take appropriate decision in accordance with law. The Tribunal has also sought progress / status report from the Board. The above OAs are fixed for 20.03.2025. In compliance of decision of meeting taken by Hon'ble Vidhan Sabha Committee on 26.07.2024 at Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, Chandigarh a meeting was taken by Additional Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana to deliberate the finalization of site for installation of CETP for scattered dyeing units on 16.08.2024, wherein it was decided that for carrying out sampling of the scattered dyeing units, a team of officials of PPCB and PWSSB be constituted and shall submit report within 07 days In compliance to above, the treated effluent sampling of the unit was carried out by the officer of the Board alongwith the PWSSB Officials on 02.09.2024 and effluent samples were collected during visit and as per the analysis reports received from Board's lab, the conc. of parameter BOD=38 mg/l is beyond the prescribed limits of the Board. The industry is discharging its industrial effluent into MC sewer and not complying with the directions issued u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 to stop discharging its treated industrial effluent into MC sewer by 31.03.2023 and operating the unit without valid consent of the Board under the Water Act, 1974 since 31.03.2023 and is discharging effluent into sewer. The industry was issued notice for non-compliance of directions issued u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 along with notice for imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) with opportunity of hearing before the Chairman of the Board on 14.11.2024, wherein it was decided as under:
1. Directions u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 be issued for sealing of the wet processes of the industry.
2. The industry shall dismantle & remove all outlets and stop discharging its trade effluent into sewer, as already directed by the Board.
3. On best assessment and judgement, the industry shall deposit Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs. 3 Lac for non-compliance of directions issued u/s 33-A of Water Act, 1974 for closure of its outlets into municipal sewer in proportionate to the discharge of industrial effluent to the Environmental Engineer, Regional Office-1, Ludhiana, within 15 days.
4. Environmental Engineer, Regional Office-1, Ludhiana shall visit the industry and send compliance report to the above decisions.
In compliance, directions u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974 were issued for sealing of the wet processes of the industry vide Board's letter no. 6549-50 dated 20.11.2024 and RO-1, Ludhiana was directed to seal the wet processes of the industry. The industry was visited by officer of the Board on 27.11.2024 for sealing of the wet process. But, sealing was not carried due to resistance by the industry during the visit. Thereafter, Industrial Area-A Dyers Association, 251, Industrial Area-A, Ludhiana through its Secretary Sh. Atul Verma and 22 other dyeing units situated in Industrial Area-A and nearby areas of Baba Gajja Singh Colony, Baba Deep Singh Nagar, Ludhiana filed appeal to set aside order dated 07.07.2023 and consequent notice dated 08.11.2024 whereby the permissible source of discharge of the treated effluent which was earlier permitted to be discharged in the Municipal Sewer. The Appellate Authority has passed an order dated 23.01.2025 that the Appellate Authority is not having the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal arising out of the directions issued by the Board u/s 33-A of the Water Act, 1974. Hence, the appeal is dismissed. The appellant is advised to approach the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal for the redressal of its grievance.
The industry was again visited by the officers of the Board on 13.12.2024 and observed that the unit is still operating the outlet for discharge of treated effluent into sewer. The industry has not deposited Environmental Compensation of Rs. 3 lacs in the Regional office till date, as imposed by the Board. Thus, the industry is not complying with decisions of hearing dated 14.11.2024. The matter has been considered by the Competent Authority of the Board and it has been decided to issue notice u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 alongwith notice for imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) with opportunity of personal hearing before Chairman of the Board on 04.03.2025. After hearing it was decided as under:
1. The industry shall place an order for installation of ZLD system, within week and submit copy of the same along with the proof of advance paid to the ZLD provider equivalent to 10 % of total invoice amount of ZLD project or minimum of Rs. 10 lacs.
2. In case due to any reason, the industry is not able to place order as per decision no. 1, then alternatively, the industry will submit a bank guarantee of Rs. 10 lac as assurance to install ZLD system by 30.09.2025 (fully stabilize and commission by 31.12.2025). In this case, the industry will place an order for installation of ZLD system by 25.03.2025 and submit proof thereof alongwith the advance paid.
3. In case, the industry will place the order to the ZLD vendor alongwith advance as mentioned in the decision no. 2, within the above timelines (i.e. by 25.03.2025), the Bank Guarantee will be returned to the industry. Otherwise, the Competent Authority reserves the right to take decision for the recovery of part or full payment from the said Bank Guarantee.
4. The industry shall deposit the Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs. 3 lacs already imposed on the industry, within 03 days positively.
5. The industry shall deposit environmental compensation amounting to Rs. 1 lakh minimum on account of not meeting with the prescribed standards in the last sampling, within 03 days. In case, there is failure of more than one parameter, then the industry have to pay Rs. 2 lakh as an environmental compensation.
6. Environmental Engineer, Regional Office-1, Ludhiana shall get the Environmental Compensation deposited and Bank Guarantee submitted from the industry and submit the compliance report to the above decisions.
7. The progress in the matter and compliance of the above decisions shall be reviewed on 12.03.2025 in the personal hearing of the industry to be held before the Chairman of the Board and further action shall be taken accordingly.
Accordingly, notice has been issued to the industry with opportunity of hearing before the Chairman of the Board on 12.03.2025 to the review the compliances of above decision.
After hearing the industry, officers of the Board and considering material facts on record, the Chairman of the Board decided as under:
1. The industry will not carry out any dyeing activity till it submits concrete proposal for upgradation of its ETP to ZLD or shifting to some other suitable place. During this intervening period, the industry can only operate other activities like washing / laundary, bulking and finishing work.
2. The industry shall submit a Bank Guarantee amounting to Rs. 2.0 Lakh as an assurance in compliance of decision no. 1 as above.
3. The industry shall deposit environmental compensation amounting to Rs. 1.0 lakh on account of not meeting with the prescribed standards in the last sampling, within 03 days.
4. The industry shall continue to operate its existing ETP regularly and efficiently, so as to achieve the effluent discharge standards prescribed for such discharges.
5. Environmental Engineer, Regional Office-1, Ludhiana to ensure that the industry shall not operate dyeing activity and make surprise visit to the industry to confirm the same.
In compliance of the ongoing drive of this office to ensure upgradation of ETP to ZLD treatment systems by the scattered dyeing units in Industrial Area- A, the industry was visited by the officer of the Board on 12.08.2025 and it was observed as under: -
1. The industry was in operation during visit and engaged in the process of dyeing and washing of yarn and garments.
2. The industry was carrying out the dyeing and washing activity at site.
3. No Bank Guarantee has been submitted by the industry.
4. The industry has submitted environment compensation amounting Rs. 1 lakh on account of not meeting with the prescribed standards in the last sampling.
5. The ETP installed in the industry was in operation during visit.
6. The upgradation of ETP to ZLD is not submitted by the industry.
7. No progress report or PERT chart related to the ZLD system has been submitted. 8. No civil work related to ZLD has been started yet at site.
Accordingly, report was sent to zonal office-1, Ludhiana. Thereafter, the directions were issued vide zonal office – 1, Ludhiana letter no. 4736-37 dated 26.09.2025 as under: -
1. That the industry will dismantle and remove all outlets and stop forthwith discharging its trade effluent into sewer or drain or through any other mode.
2. That the industry will not restart any process unless all necessary water pollution control measures are taken and concentration of various pollutants in its treated trade effluent conforms to the effluent standards laid down by the Board for such discharges.
3. That the industry will not restart discharging effluent until it obtains the consent of the Board u/s 25/26 of the Water (Prevention & control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended in 1988.
4. That Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) authorities is directed to disconnect the supply of electricity available to the workshop with immediate effect and to allow 2% of the contract demand or 100 KW (whichever is less) of electric power to the unit specifically for office use only.
5. That the industry shall not operate its wet processes without prior permission of the Board.
Separately directions were issued u/s of the 33-A Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 were issued to PSPCL authorities by the Zonal Office-1, Ludhiana letter no. 4738-41 dated 26.09.2025.
In compliance to the above said decisions and directions issued by competent authority, the industry was visited on 14.10.2025 and it was observed as under: -
1. The industry was in operation during the visit and engaged in the process of washing of yarn and garments.
2. The industry was advised not to operate the wet process in compliance to direction no. 5 issued by the competent authority.
3. The existing ETP of the industry was in operation and the treated effluent was being discharged into the sewer.
4. During the visit, a total of 10 soft flow machines were found in the industry’s wet processing section—7 operational and 3 non-operational. All machines were sealed accordingly in the presence of Sh. Sumit Behal, the husband of one of the industry’s partners.
Thereafter the electric connection has been disconnected by the PSPCL authorities vide TDCO no. 104/67 dated 23.10.2025
Earlier, the industry has applied for the Consent to operate under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for only for processed garments @ 4080 Kgs/Day by using raw material Garment Processing @ 4080 Kgs/Day, Softner used @ 100 Kgs/Day and Detergent used @ 15 Kgs/Day for washing along-with request for restoration of electric connection and the same was returned as desired by the competent authority with the observation that:
1. As per RO report, the industry has 10 soft flow machines. But no capacity of these machines have been mentioned. How, this figure of 48 KLD comes out.
2. what are the capacity of these soft flow machines, what is the liquor ratio of these machines, Time required to complete one lot, no. of lots expected in 24 hrs. A complete water balance is required.
3. Check consent granted earlier and machines installed at the time of grant of Consent to check the claim of the industry that effluent discharge is reduced to 48 KLD from 100 KLD....Check production mentioned at that time and mentioned now ...as well as that can be made with exiting machinery based upon its capacity and lots......for 24 hrs....
4. On the basis of effluent calculation, check whether ETP has sufficient capacity to handle that discharge from 10 soft flow machines.
5. In these machines dyeing can be done as well as washing.......How restrict, it will be restricted to the industry from carrying out dyeing as industry after giving similar commitment has backtracked and continue to do dyeing.
6. Besides bank Guarantee, what are the physical measures that can be taken to ensure that dyeing activity is not carried out.
7. The upgradation of APCD is yet not been done.
Now the industry has applied the Consent to operate under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for only for processed garments @ 4080 Kgs/Day by using raw material Garment Processing @ 4080 Kgs/Day, Softner used @ 100 Kgs/Day and Detergent used @ 15 Kgs/Day for washing along-with request for restoration of electric connection.
The industry has deposited Rs. 17400/- vide UTR No. 492834115 dated 24.10.2025, Rs. 20400/- vide R. no. 428071975 dated 14.11.2025 under Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Rs. 17400/- vide UTR No. 840011167 dated 24.10.2025 and Rs. 18600/- vide UTR No. 272495161 dated 14.11.2025 under Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 which is adequate up to 30.06.2030.
To verify the facts the industry was visited by Er. Jagpreet Singh, AEE of this office on 12.03.2026 & observed as under: -
1. The industry was not in operation during visit and facts could not be verified due to electricity disconnection.
2. The 10 nos. milling machines/horizontal drum type machines were found in the industry which was earlier sealed as per the directions issued by the competent authority of the Board.
3. The existing ETP of capacity 50 KLD with utilization of 48 KLD of the industry was not in operation as the electric supply of the industry was disconnected vide TDCO no. 104/67 dated 23.10.2025.
4. The industry has submitted the undertaking for carrying out washing and finishing processes only (copy enclosed) and the industry has already submitted Bank Guarantee of amounting @ 2.0 Lacs bearing B.G. No. 0067425BG0B00009 dated 18.10.2025 as an assurance in compliance of decision no. 1 of the personal hearing dated 12.03.2025.
5. The industry has already submitted EC @ 1.0 Lacs as an assurance in compliance of decision no. 4 of the personal hearing dated 12.03.2025.
6. Observation raised by the competent authority:
a. As per RO report, the industry has 10 soft flow machines. But no capacity of these machines have been mentioned. How, this figure of 48 KLD comes out. – The industry has installed only milling machines/horizontal drum type machines which inadvertently mentioned as soft flow earlier. However, the required information is given here below in the tabular form.
S.n Process Capacity Qty. In Kg per lot Total liquid ratio compressing of three wash cycle per lot Water Used in three wash cycle Water Usage per lot (iii*IV) No. of lot process per machines per day TOTAL Water Requirement per machine per day (VI*VII) No. of Machines Total Water use (VIII*IX) Total Garments Process per day (in Kg) (III*VII*IX)
1 Washing 100 kg 50 01:04 600 600 9 5400 6 32400 2700
2 Washing 200 kg 100 01:04 1200 1200 9 10800 1 10800 900
3 Washing 50 kg 25 01:04 300 300 9 2700 2 5400 450
4 Washing 10 kg 5 01:04 60 60 2 120 3 360 30
2160 2160 19020 12 48960
b. What are the capacity of these soft flow machines, what is the liquor ratio of these machines, Time required to complete one lot, no. of lots expected in 24 hrs. A complete water balance is required. – The required data is given in the above table.
c. Check consent granted earlier and machines installed at the time of grant of Consent to check the claim of the industry that effluent discharge is reduced to 48 KLD from 100 KLD....Check production mentioned at that time and mentioned now ...as well as that can be made with exiting machinery based upon its capacity and lots......for 24 hrs.... – Earlier, the industry was granted consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974 vide no. CTOW/Renewal/LDH1/2018/7643000 dated 11.06.2018 valid up to 30.06.2023 for Processed Garments @ 1500 Numbers/Day and Dyed Yarn @ 1000 Kgs/day by using Garment For Processing @ 1500 Numbers/Day, Yarn for Dyeing @ 1000 Kgs/day, Acetic Acid @ 10 Kgs/day, Dyes @ 10 Kgs/day, Softner @ 15 Kgs/day and Non Ionic @ 5 Kgs/day with discharge of treated trade effluent @ 100 KLD and domestic effluent @ 0.5 KLD into sewer.
Now, the industry has applied the Consent to operate under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for processed garments @ 4080 Kgs/Day by using raw material Garment Processing @ 4080 Kgs/Day, Softner used @ 100 Kgs/Day and Detergent used @ 15 Kgs/Day with discharge @ 48 KLD into sewer after treatment through the ETP and domestic effluent @ 0.5 KLD into sewer.
However, after changes in the raw material, production as well as shifting the operation to washing process from dyeing. The generation of treated trade effluent is 48 KLD which was 100 KLD earlier. However, same shall be further verified as when the industry comes into operation.
d. On the basis of effluent calculation, check whether ETP has sufficient capacity to handle that discharge from 10 soft flow machines – The industry has horizontal drum type washing machines with total generation of the 48 KLD trade effluent. However, the capacity of the ETP is 50 KLD which is sufficient to treat the trade effluent.
e. In these machines dyeing can be done as well as washing.......How restrict, it will be restricted to the industry from carrying out dyeing as industry after giving similar commitment has backtracked and continue to do dyeing. – The industry has submitted Bank Guarantee of amounting @ 2.0 Lacs bearing B.G. No. 0067425BG0B00009 dated 18.10.2025 as an assurance in compliance of decision no. 1 of the personal hearing dated 12.03.2025. The industry has also submitted a request letter dated 24.12.2025 in which it is mentioned that the industry will fully engage in washing activity. Regular monitoring of the industry shall be carried out. If any violation will be observed, action shall be initiated.
f. Besides bank Guarantee, what are the physical measures that can be taken to ensure that dyeing activity is not carried out. – The orders for water supply disconnection to the wet process area and If a boiler is used for dyeing than seal or dismantle the boiler feed lines.
g. The upgradation of APCD is yet not been done. – The industry has installed Cyclone Separator as APCD with boiler of capacity 4 Ton/Day in which Wood and Pathi is being used as fuel.
7. The industry has installed 1 no. D.G. set of capacity 60 KVA provided with canopy and having adequate stack height.
8. The industry is complying with the decisions of the personal hearing dated 12.03.2025.
Keeping in view of the above, it is recommended that the consent to operate under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be granted to the industry for the short term with suitable conditions and electric connection of the industry may be restored temporarily. (Competency lies with: Senior Environmental Engineer) (Restoration Competency: Worthy Chairperson).
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