Five months after the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) issued a closure notice to a sugar factory in Kalaburagi, another one in Belagavi has come under scrutiny by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for violating environmental norms and endangering groundwater.
In a notice dated June 20, the CPCB cited nine violations by the Krishna Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane Niyamit (KSSKN) and raised concerns over its operations under the Environment (Protection) Act. The factory, inspected earlier this year, was found diverting effluents improperly to a lagoon instead of treating them in the designated effluent treatment plant (ETP). Historical satellite images revealed the lagoon’s existence since 2019, filled with effluent, ash, and press mud.
Environmental Threats Highlighted
Samples from the lagoon showed alarming levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) exceeding permissible limits, posing serious groundwater contamination risks.
Regulatory Action Pending
The CPCB has given KSSKN 30 days to respond to the notice and address the violations. Failure to comply may lead to further regulatory action, possibly including a closure order.
Industry’s Response
KSSKN Managing Director GM Patil stated that they are yet to receive the notice and will consult with their advisors to formulate a response.
