Punjab firms oppose testing of hazardous waste

The state's industry has responded negatively to the proposal that it would have to get hazardous waste tested in a laboratory before treatment in the hazardous waste treatment facility at Dera Bassi.

Nimbuan Greenfield was supposed to facilitate collection, treatment and disposal of industrial waste from across the state.

The recent proposal, say industrialists, would cause unnecessary delays and interruption in getting the waste treated. If the problem is not sorted out in time, it could mean a delay in the treatment of hazardous waste.

"We have been waiting for quite some time for the facility to start so that all this waste is treated. However, now they have told us that we should get the piled up waste tested in a government-approved laboratory, which would mean additional costs and unnecessary hassles. We are strongly opposing it," said KK Seth, general secretary, Ludhiana Engineering Association.

"They are saying it is important to know the nature of the waste in order to help determine its further use. But it would mean undue costs and trouble to us. If they are setting up a project worth crores of rupees, they can also set up a laboratory for testing or manage it on their own. It is quite unfair to expect industry to do this," said Varinder Kapoor, general secretary, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers' Association.

Nimbuan Greenfield, the special purpose vehicle located in Nimbuan village in Dera Bassi, was promoted by industry itself at the initiative of the Punjab Pollution Control Board to create hazardous waste management facilities in the state. It will cater to 1,800 units, including 520 large and medium units, in the state.

The waste management facility will be the first of its kind in north India and has the support of the Ministry of Commerce under the Improvement of Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme as a specialised infrastructure.

Estimated to cost over Rs 17 crore, the state government received a grant of Rs 12.69 crore as 75 per cent of the cost of the project and industry, too, is contributing some amount. Till now, companies have been dumping hazardous waste on their own.