The Pioneer 20.10.2010
Rs 300 cr action plan proposed to improve Indore environmentVivek Trivedi | Bhopal
The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has chalked out a Rs 300 crore action plan to improve the environment in the commercial capital of the State, Indore. The action plan was devised following the directives of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which after a study had identified the city as critically polluted. Few industrial clusters of Madhya Pradesh were included in the study conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests through CPCB and with the help of experts from Delhi University and IIT Delhi.
On the basis of the study findings, Indore was put in the list of critically polluted areas by the CPCB and the latter had issued directives banning the establishment of new factories in the city till August 2010. Later on, the ban on new industries was extended till October. MPPCB MemberSecretary RK Jain clarified that though Indore features on the list of critically polluted areas but the fact is that the pollution levels are quite marginal.
"Indore secured a score above 71 (on a 100-point scale), when the CPCB carried out a comprehensive environmental assessment of industrial clusters late last year," he added.
Jain further claimed that areas securing scores between 70 to 80 points have been kept in the list of critically polluted areas and a slight decline of two points could get the city out of the list.
He added that Indore might have scored higher in the study, as the study was conducted at the time when the commercial capital was witnessing hectic construction activity, including that of roads, high rise malls and other structures, which cause considerable pollution. He however added that an action plan has been chalked out, following the directives of the CPCB, for improving the environment of the city.
Meanwhile, small industrial units functioning inside the city of Indore illegally also pose a potent threat in terms of pollution. On this matter, Jain said the MPPCB could not do much against such units, as they were functioning under the limits of the urban body.
The action plan and other issues were discussed during the recent visit of the Joint Director MoEF, Rajnish Dubey to the State capital.
The action plan aiming to mitigate pollution levels in Indore includes suggestions to control vehicular pollution, phasing out old vehicles, which have passed their designated lifespan and proper sewage facilities in the city.
Significantly, the action plan has the provision of a Common Effluent Treatment plant at Sanver road, which would treat the industrial waste, emerging from industries in the area.
The MPPCB has presented the action plan before the CPCB, which in turn called for a few amendments in the plan and the process is on to follow these directives at the MPPCB.
