The closure of over 100 industries that were found to be contaminating water bodies in Bengaluru during 2011-2022 was ordered by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
The main industries closed by the board are dyeing units, garment-related product-making units, and water service units, according to data from KSPCB. Among other units which were shut down were packaging and engineering works.
For allegedly violating the Karnataka Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1976, the data shows that 112 industries have been issued closure orders and criminal cases have also been initiated by the board against two factories.
Around 16 dyeing units were ordered to close in 2021 after the board learned that they weren’t following safety procedures and causing water pollution. Closure notices by the board were issued to 18 industries in 2022 since they were found to be causing water pollution.
The board has the authority to give consent to run industries, according to KSPCB officials and the government has fixed fees for each of the four categories of industries – red, orange, green, and white.
Regular monitoring of industries is done to check if rules are being followed or if operations are in violation of the same. The board then issues notices to industries for non-compliance. Emergency response vehicles are also operated by the board to keep a vigil on pollution-releasing industries.
There was no clarity on which industry comes under which category said, BV Gopal Reddy, president of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI). He also added that due to there being no online portal to provide hassle-free consent, applying for said consent is a painful exercise.
“Industries prefer to cause less harm to nature and adhere to the rules of the pollution control board. The industries concerned should respond to KSPCB’s notice and comply with pollution-related rules,” said Reddy.
