| File Note: |
Visit Report of the project namely M/s Empire Packages Private Limited, Vill. Mahiwala, Derabassi, Distt. SAS Nagar.
1. Background:
The industry was issued show cause notice for refusal of consent to operate under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and revocation of ‘Consents to Operate’ under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and notice to issue directions u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 alongwith an opportunity of personal hearing before the Worthy CEE(P) of the Board on 30.01.2026. Chief Environmental Engineer (P) of the Board decided that: -
1. The Consent to Operate granted to the industry under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 be revoked, with immediate effect.
2. The industry shall immediately dismantle and remove the rainwater harvesting structures located within its premises.
3. Environmental Engineer, Regional Office, SAS Nagar shall immediately encash the bank guarantee amounting to Rs. 1.0 lakh bearing no. MD2531740001 dated 13.11.2025, having validity upto 12.11.2026, submitted by the industry.
4. The industry shall furnish a Bank Guarantee amounting to Rs. 10 lakh as an assurance for ensuring continuous compliance with the prescribed environmental norms, within 7 days, which shall be liable to be forfeited/encashed in the event of any future non-compliance.
5. The industry shall, within 48 hours, remove and remediate the stagnated/contaminated wastewater observed in the adjoining field of the complainant through safe collection, treatment and disposal at its ETP, and shall restore the affected land to its original condition to the satisfaction of the complainant.
6. A team of officer of the Board comprising of Er. G.D Garg, SEE (ZP-1) & Er. Arshdeep Singh (ZP-1) shall revisit the project and undertake a comprehensive inspection and submit its detailed monitoring report with conclusive recommendations within 15 months; which shall specifically include:
a. Monitoring of effluent parameters.
b. Verification of any arrangements, outlets, or provisions that may facilitate unauthorized discharge of effluent within or in the vicinity of the premises.
c. Examination of records maintained with respect to the operation of pollution control devices.
d. Verification of hazardous waste generation, storage, and disposal practices.
7. The industry shall be reheard after receipt of report from the team constituted.
RO has reported that, as per decisions of the hearing held on 02.02.2026, the bank guarantee amounting to Rs. 01 lakhs has been encashed vide R. no. 40/5602 dated 17.02.2026.
2. Visit:
As per decision no. 6 of the hearing, the site of the industry was visited by the Er. Gursharan Dass Garg, SEE, Er. Arshdeep Singh, EE and Er. Amarpreet Singh, AEE on 26.02.2026. During visit, it was observed as under:
1) The industry is engaged in business of manufacturing of corrugation box and same was in operation.
2) The industry has installed one tubewell in its premises for abstraction of ground water. The industry is maintaining the record of the readings of the flow meter and as per the records maintained by the industry around 35-40 KLD of fresh water is being abstracted. and the record is maintained by the industry.
3) The industry has installed ETP for treatment of trade effluent being generated from the unit and the same was in operation. As per the record maintained by the industry, around 2 KLD of trade effluent is being treated in the ETP. During visit, effluent sampling was carried out and the analysis results are tabulated in point no. 5 below.
4) The industry has installed a skid mounted type STP for treatment of domestic effluent being generated from the unit and the same was in operation. As per the record maintained by the industry, around 8-9 KLD of domestic effluent is being treated in the STP. During visit, effluent sampling was carried out and the analysis results are tabulated in point no. 5 below.
5)
Sr. no. Test parameter Units Results Test Method
ETP Outlet ETP Treated Water Tank Outlet of STP
1. pH value at 25o C - 7.3 8.5 7.8 IS 3025 Part-11
2. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/l 20 8 40 IS 3025 Part-17
3. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) mg/l 2018 1972 1158 IS 3025 Part-16
4. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) mg/l 240 125 127 IS 3025 Part-58
5. Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) mg/l 35 20 27 IS 3025 Part-44
6. Oil & Grease mg/l BDL BDL 8.2
From above results, it is clear that the industry is complying with the prescribed standards.
6) The treated effluent after ETP and STP is being used for plantation of green area and lawns developed by the industry inside its premises. The industry has also planted trees in rows in an area of about 0.25 acres. However, the industry has not developed the same as per Karnal Technology and the industry is required to develop the same.
7) During visit, it was observed that the industry has now dismantled all four RWH pits in its premises.
8) The industry has installed a glue manufacturing unit in its premises, in which maize, starch and borax is being used as raw material.
9) The industry has installed 1 no. LPG boiler of capacity 4 TPH in its premises. Presently, the industry is using only LPG as fuel in the said boiler and is not using earlier coal/ wood fired boiler at the site.
10) The industry is generating Hazardous Waste of category 5.1, 5.2, 33.1 and 35.3 at the site. The industry has provided proper Hazardous Waste storage room with lock and key facility near the ETP area. The industry is maintaining proper record of generation and disposal of Hazardous Waste.
11) During visit, no illegal/ unauthorized mode for discharge of effluent was observed from the premises of the unit
12) During visit, groundwater monitoring from 01 no. piezometer and 02 no. tubewells was also carried out and the analysis results obtained from HO, Lab, Patiala are tabulated as under:
Sr. no.
Test parameter Units Results Test Method
GW-249 GW-250 GW-251
1. pH value at 25o C - 7.4 7.4 7.9 IS 3025 Part-11
2. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/l 155 92 15 IS 3025 Part-17
3. Chloride mg/l 452 284 170 IS 3025 Part-32
4. Sulphate mg/l 172 210 82 IS 3025 Part-24, Sec/1
5. Nickel mg/l <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Alpha-24th Ed. 3111-B
6. Copper mg/l <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Alpha-24th Ed. 3111-B
7. Zinc mg/l 0.17 <0.1 <0.1 Alpha-24th Ed. 3111-B
8. Iron mg/l 7.4 5.0 1.5 Alpha-24th Ed. 3111-B
9. Total Chromium mg/l <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Alpha-24th Ed. 3111-B
10. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) mg/l BDL BDL BDL
11. Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) mg/l BDL BDL BDL
12. TKN mg/l BDL BDL BDL
13. Amm. Nitrogen mg/l BDL BDL BDL
14. Flouride mg/l 0.7 0.9 0.5
15. Cyanide mg/l BDL BDL BDL
16. Phosphate mg/l BDL BDL BDL
17. Sulphide mg/l BDL BDL BDL
From above results, it is clear that there are no heavy metals as well as there is no BOD/COD in the ground water samples collected during the visit. As such, it is clear that there is no groundwater contamination due to operation of the unit.
13) During visit, it was seen that blackish/dark layer was spread in the adjoining field area of the industry. The representative of the industry informed that the same is Boiler ash and was disposed of in this land area long ago by the industry, which has now come to the light after the landowner has cut down the tree plantation in the land. Accordingly, the sample of the soil was collected from the said land area to adjudge the nature of the soil. The sample was sent to PBTI lab. The analysis results obtained from PBTI are tabulated as under:
S. No. Parameter Results Units Standard/Specification/Method Followed
1. pH 8.03 CPCB Manual on sampling, Analysis and Characterization of Hazardous Waste
2. Ammonia BDL (MDL:1) mg/l CPCB Manual on sampling, Analysis and Characterization of Hazardous Waste
3. Fluoride (as F) 0.44 mg/l CPCB Manual on sampling, Analysis and Characterization of Hazardous Waste
4. Cyanide (as CN) BDL (MDL: 0.5) mg/l CPCB Manual on sampling, Analysis and Characterization of Hazardous Waste
5. Arsenic (as As2O3) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
6. Nitrate Nitrogen 46.3 mg/l CPCB Manual on sampling, Analysis and Characterization of Hazardous Waste
7. Zinc (as ZN) 0.2 mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
8. Manganese (as Mn) 3.5 mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
9. Copper (as Cu) 0.3 mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
10. Cobalt (as CO) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
11. Molybdenum (as Mo) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
12. Cadmium (as Cd) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
13. Barium 1.8 mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
14. Nickel (as Ni) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
15. Lead (as Pb) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
16. Silver (as Ag) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
17. Mercury (as Hg) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
18. Antimony (as Sb) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
19. Vanadium BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
20. Selenium (as Se) BDL (MDL 0.1) mg/l USEPA Test Method 1311
21. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) As per annexure-1 (Attached) mg/l PBTI/SOP/196:TP-144
22. Flash Point >60o C mg/l IS 1448 (Part 20): 2019
23. Bio Assay 100% survival in 100% liquid sample prepared from Soil Sample @0.5gm per liter of dilution water 0C IS 6582 (Part 1): 2001 (As per CPCB Guidelines
S. No. Parameter Results Standard/Specification/ Method Followed
A. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
1. 1,4- Dichlorobenzen, mg/l BQL (MQL:0.5) PBTI/SOP/196/TP-144
2. 2,4,5- Trichlorophenol, mg/l BQL (MQL:10)
3. Cresol (Ortho+meta+para), mg/l BQL (MQL:10)
4. Hexachloroethane, mg/l BQL (MQL:0.5)
5. Tetrachloroethylene, mg/l BQL (MQL:0.5)
6. Nitrobenzene, mg/l BQL (MQL:1)
7. Pyridine, mg/l BQL (MQL:2)
8. Trichloroethylene, mg/l BQL (MQL:0.5)
9. Methyl ethyl ketone, mg/l BQL (MQL:10)
From the above results, it is clear that there are no heavy metals, no VOCs in the soil sample. Further, the bio-assay reveals 100% survival rate. All the parameters are within the concentration limits of TCLP test as per Schedule II of the HWM Rules, 2016.
As such, it is clear from the above soil samples results as obtained from PBTI Lab, that the soil samples are not hazardous in nature and the contentions made by the industry that the same is boiler ash is in order.
Although the same is not hazardous in nature, still, the industries required to dispose of the said scattered boiler ash in the adjoining farmland, in an environmentally sound manner, to the satisfaction of the landowner.
14) It was observed during the visit that for collection of treated waste water after ETP and STP, the industry has constructed well type collection tanks in its premises, which are very old. The industry is required to dismantle these well type collection tank and provide proper rectangular collection tanks for storage of treated effluent.
15) AEE, RO visiting alongwith the team informed that the industry has submitted bank guarantee amounting to Rs. 10.00 lacs vide no. MD2531740000 dated 13.11.2025, valid upto 13.02.2027.
16) Pictures are as under:
Ash spread in the adjoining field
No stack emissions observed due to operation of new LPG fired boiler LPG fired boiler operational at the site
Plantation area, which needs to be developed as per Karnal Technology Hazardous waste storage area
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The Industry shall develop 0.25 acres of land area as per Karnal technology by providing ridges & furrows for utilisation of treated wastewater, within 15 days.
2. The industry shall dispose of the said scattered boiler ash in the adjoining farmland, in an environmentally sound manner, to the satisfaction of the landowner and submit compliance report to the board within 15 days.
3. The industry shall dismantle the old well type collection tanks and provide proper rectangular collection tanks for storage of treated effluent.
4. Consent to Operate under the Air Act, 1981 may be granted to the industry for opearation of the LPG fired boier of capacity 4 TPH, with suitable conditions and additional condition that the industry shall not operate coal/wood fired Boiler of capacity for 4 TPH, without prior permission from the Board.
5. The industry shall immediately apply for obtaining consent to operate under the Water Act, 1974. |
