Regional environment officer (REO) SK Sharma has given a deadline of August 15 to the sponge iron and power plants operating in the district to upgrade the electrostatic precipitators systems (ESP), pollution monitoring system and make it on-line to keep a check on the level of pollution.
The on-line system will enable industrial management, environment officer and district administration to monitor the level of pollution as and when required. According to sources, as many as 29 sponge iron and power plants are operating in the district and it was necessary to monitor the level of pollution being spread by these plants and thereby working for the conservation of environment.
Many social and voluntary organisations have been stressing for installing the system in the power plants. In view of this, the REO had issued notices to the power plants to install the system by June 30.
However, only three plants followed the directive. Making it mandatory, once again notice was served on the plants, to which four more plants installed the system. 22 plants are yet to be upgraded with the system.