NGT Orders Industries to Install Real-time Pollution Monitoring Systems for Rivers

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a strong directive to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, and Delhi. The NGT mandates that all Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) must immediately install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). These systems are crucial for real-time tracking of the quality and quantity of wastewater discharged by industries, ensuring accountability in preventing river pollution.

The order stems from an application highlighting that over 1,700 industries in these states have failed to comply with CPCB directions and continue to discharge untreated effluents into major water bodies like the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, causing severe environmental damage.

The NGT bench ordered the CPCB chairman to ensure prompt action from the SPCBs. Member Secretaries of state SPCBs and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) are required to submit compliance reports to the CPCB within two months. Following this, the CPCB must take remedial and punitive actions against defaulting industries within one month.

**Impact** This ruling directly affects a significant number of industries classified as GPIs, necessitating investment in OCEMS installation and ongoing maintenance. Non-compliance will likely result in substantial fines and penalties, increasing operational costs and risks for these companies. Environmentally, this measure is a vital step towards protecting India's major rivers from industrial pollution. Rating: 8/10

**Terms and Meanings** * **Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs)**: Industries identified as having a high potential to cause water pollution due to the nature and volume of their wastewater discharge. * **Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS)**: Automated systems installed at industrial discharge points that continuously measure and transmit real-time data on the characteristics of wastewater being released. * **Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)**: The apex statutory institution responsible for pollution control and prevention in India. * **State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)**: Statutory authorities at the state level responsible for implementing environmental protection laws and standards. * **Effluent**: Industrial wastewater or liquid waste discharged from a factory or plant. * **National Green Tribunal (NGT)**: A specialized judicial body established to handle and expedite cases related to environmental protection and conservation.