Why is there no action in Gujarat against industrial discharge of untreated effluents? Ask environmentalists

Counterview Desk
Senior environmentalists of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti (PSS), Vadodara, have asked the secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change(MoEFCC), Government of India, to provide information as to under which environment law the effluent treatment plants at Gujarat’s different industrial hugs – Vapi, Ankleshwar, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad – are “allowed” to discharge their allegedly polluted waters.
Posted on Wednesday, the letter, written by Rohit Prajapati and Krishnakant, cite four studies which prove effluent treatment plants, jointly operated by the Gujarat government and industrial associations of the industrial hubs, are discharging untreated effluents.
The letter states, the first one is an April 2008 study by the Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT, Roorkee, “Residual Life Assessment Study of Effluent Channel”, provides physical condition of the effluent channel carrying industrial effluents from Vadodara to Mahi estuary, leading to groundwater contamination.
The second one is a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) study of February 2010, “Report on Effluent Conveyance System for Nandesari Industrial Area and Industries Located near Vadodara, Gujarat”, which, the letter says, highlights “the grim situation due to industrial pollution in the area.”
Then, in September 2011, the Institute of Seismological Research, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, came out with a report regarding ground water pollution, exposing the extent of damage done due to industrial pollution in and around Luna village.
And the last one is the “Ground Water Pollution in Luna, Dudhawada, Piludara Area Near Vadodara, Gujarat”, July 2016.
Pointing out that these are “sufficient evidences to take immediate action”, the letter says, each of the studies “recommends immediate-, short-, and long-term remedial measures and also the adoption of the Polluter Pay Principle, laid down by the Supreme Court of India.”
Pointing to the Effluent Channel Project (ECP) of Vadodara, which passes through 24 villages’ prime agricultural land, also known as the vegetable basket of Gujarat, the letter says, “The 55.6 km long effluent channel was commissioned in the year of 1983 to carry ‘treated’ industrial effluent from industries near Vadodara to estuary of River Mahi, Gulf of Cambay.”
“It carries the effluent of Nandesari Industrial Estate and Vadodara Industrial Complex. Since 2004 the villages have experienced ground water contamination at alarming rates. The pollution began because of the seepage, leaching, leaking and overflowing of effluents”, and “illegal untreated effluent discharged by number of polluting industries which were established 1995 onwards.”
Accusing the MoEFCC of “inaction”, the letter states, “We ask you to respect environmental laws. Any action to contrary will be tantamount to committing an extra-legal act akin to an 'encounter’ of environment laws”, adding, “Nobody, not even the GPCB, nor the industrialists, have denied that the groundwater is severely contaminated and contamination is spreading in different areas.”
The letter underlines, “There are a number of farmers who had been practicing organic farming (i.e. without the use of chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers) but because of the groundwater pollution they are not in the position to claim their agriculture produce as organic.”
“The farmers who are affected by groundwater contamination and pollution have not been compensated in terms of money”, the letter points out, demanding, the effluent treatment plants’ Consolidated Consent and Authorization should be cancelled.

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Dr. Ram Bux Singh: Biogas pioneer’s legacy gains urgency amid energy crisis

By A Representative In an era defined by a global energy crisis and a desperate search for sustainable solutions, the visionary work of an Indian scientist from the mid-20th century is finding renewed, urgent relevance. Dr. Ram Bux Singh , a pioneering figure in biogas and renewable energy , is being posthumously honored by the Government of India, even as his decades-old innovations provide a blueprint for today’s challenges.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Search This Blog