After interstate toxic waste racket, TGPCB orders Sangareddy unit shut | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has ordered the immediate closure of a hazardous-waste pre-processing facility in Sangareddy district and directed disconnection of its power supply after an inspection found waste stored in the open, leachate draining from waste piles, missing disposal records and an effluent treatment plant that was not being operated.The two orders, issued against VBR Green Enviro Private Limited on Aug 18, followed an Aug 5 inspection by TGPCB regional office officials in the wake of an interstate hazardous-waste dumping racket reported by TOI.Under Closure Order , the Alternative Fuel Raw Material/Waste Mixing Pre-Processing Facility was directed to stop all industrial activities with immediate effect. A separate order, , directed Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd (TGSPDCL) to disconnect electricity supply to the unit.TGPCB warned that if the facility continued operations using diesel generators or other mechanical devices, its operators would face prosecution under Section 41(2) of the Water Act, 1988, and Section 37(1) of the Air Act, 1987. The orders state that the offences carry a minimum imprisonment of one-and-a-half years, which may extend to six years, besides a fine.Registers missing, waste stored in openDuring the inspection, officials found that outward registers were not available at the facility. The industry representative told inspectors that the owner had taken the registers to Maharashtra to produce them before police in an attempt to establish that the company was not involved in illegal waste disposal.TGPCB also found that hazardous-waste disposal manifests checked by officials did not contain mandatory receiver certification details. There were no records relating to the detoxification facility or shredder drums, though the unit claimed these were being sent to a recycler in Medchal. Proper records were also not maintained for plastic and chocolate waste stored at the premises.Inspectors reported large quantities of waste stored in the open on a concrete platform outside designated sheds. Spillages and leachate were seen draining from the piles. Huge quantities of plastic waste were also dumped directly on open ground on adjoining land.Though an Effluent Treatment Plant had been installed at the facility, representatives admitted to inspectors that it was not being used.Owner among 10 held in Maharashtra probeThe TGPCB action followed the interstate hazardous-waste case reported by TOI on July 31 under the headline, “Hazardous industrial waste racket busted; 10 held, over 3.5L litres of chemicals seized”.According to the police investigation, the syndicate transported industrial solvents, including tetrahydrofuran, chloroform and toluene, generated by industries in Telangana and illegally dumped them at remote hills, fields and water bodies in Maharashtra instead of sending them through authorised treatment channels. The dumping was allegedly carried out under cover of darkness.At Palshi village in Sillod taluka, black chemical effluent entered a natural stream, killing fish, crabs and other aquatic life, while nearby crops withered. Residents complained of nausea, vomiting, headaches and breathing difficulties.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Rural police arrested 10 people, including alleged network kingpin Abdul Gaffar Khan Hamid Khan Pathan and Veeresham Bhimaiah Kharchela, identified by police as the owner of the Sangareddy facility.Police seized hazardous material worth Rs 80.35 lakh, including 1,601 drums containing 3.5 lakh litres of chemicals, 40 tonnes of chemical powder and 50 tonnes of contaminated soil, besides transport machinery. Investigators linked the alleged dumping to Sillod town, Palshi, Fardapur, Aland, Vaijapur and Tondapur in Maharashtra.