75 textile processing facilities in Erode had their power cut off in the previous 1.5 years. Pollution Control Board of T.N.
In response to a complaint regarding the discharge of effluents into Erode’s drains and canals, the TNPCB stated that it constantly monitored the district’s textile processing facilities and that water samples from the area were routinely analysed.
According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), 75 textile processing plants operating inside Erode Corporation limits had their power cut off for a number of infractions over the past 1.5 years, including the discharge of effluents into drains and canals.
In an email to the board, S. Chinnasamy, coordinator of the Perundurai Sipcot Affected People Welfare Association, complained that effluents were being released into canals in Vairapalayam that ultimately flow into the Cauvery river. The email inquired as to what steps had been done to punish offenders.
Erode’s Cauvery
Mohan, District Environmental Engineer, TNPCB, stated in his response letter to Mr. Chinnasamy that numerous public complaints had been received regarding the discharge of effluents into canals by the units operating inside the Corporation limits. Flying squads were organised to investigate the units in Periyasemur, and the crew discovered that five of the units did not use the effluent treatment plants. The District Coordination Committee’s chairman received a report, and both the Collector and the Collector ordered that the electricity be cut off to these units.
Similarly, authorities have taken water samples from the river at R.N. Pudur and Vairapalayam and forwarded them to the board’s laboratory. Salem’s laboratory. In order to determine the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water, samples of the water were also taken from the water pumping stations at Sipcot, the Bhavani Kattalai Barrage in B.P. Agraharam, Vendipalayam, and Vairapalayam. The letter stated that samples were taken each month and that the water’s quality was constantly assessed.
The letter further stated that starting in January 2022, TNPCB had cut power to 27 units, including one tannery unit, ten dyeing units, twelve printing units, and four other units. Likewise, 48 units, including two tanneries, five dyeing units, 36 printing units, and five sealed units, had their power supply cut off by the District Coordination Committee. According to the letter, administrators were regularly keeping an eye on the units. and action was being taken against violators.