The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has directed Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) to submit a time-bound action plan for setting up of common ‘Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities’ (TSDF) for disposal of non recyclable/ non-utilizable hazardous waste generated within the State or make sharing arrangement with authorised common facility of other State or Union Territory.
In a letter to Additional Chief Secretary, Forest Department, Government of Chhattisgarh dated June 12, 2018, the CPCB had informed CECB that if the action plan is not submitted by July 15, 2018 or the same is not found appropriate, CPCB would be constrained to direct State Pollution Control Board ( SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to stop issuing new authorization under the Hazardous Waste Management rules with immediate effect.
As per the inventory report of hazardous waste for 2016-17 submitted by CECB, about 65186.15 metric tonnes of hazardous waste is being generated by about 264 industries in Chhattisgarh.
There is no TSDF for non recyclable/ non utilizable hazardous waste in Chhattisgarh, it mentioned.
Notably, it may be recalled that the CECB in 2017-18 had completed the listing of hazardous wastes generating units as per amended Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 in Chhattisgarh.
Total of 144 of units were found generating hazardous wastes in the state last year. The CECB had granted authorization to these units for collection, reception, treatment, transport, storage and disposal.
The Hazardous Wastes generating units in the state includes mainly Cement Plants, Iron and Steel Plants, Fertilizer Plants, Aluminum Plant, Power Plants, Waste Processing Units, Mine Workshops & Wire Drawing Units.
The hazardous Wastes generated from these units are mainly used/waste oil, oil sludge, cathode residues, tar residue, lead, zincash/slag/dross, sulphur sludge etc.
In 2016-17 , Chhattisgarh was among 16 other states in the country which had implemented advanced automated solutions to deal with environmental and pollution related applications and approvals, the Central Government has informed.
These solutions provide hassle free, 24 X 7 'e-access' to businesses to apply online, track applications, file returns and statements and get online permissions under various Acts and regulations.
The states include-- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West