MANAGEMENT of industrial effluent and wastewater is a long pending issue in Hingna MIDC. Hingna MIDC is a thriving hub for industrial activities with approximately 228 operational units registered under the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the area is a vital contributor to the region’s economic growth. Since it is economically not viable for individual unit owners to treat the effluent and meet the stringent statutory norms, there is a need to set up a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in the area. P Mohan, President of MIA said, “There is an urgent need for a dedicated CETP in Hingna MIDC.

 

We have taken up this issue with the concerned authorities and gave memorandums to the Government authorities on many occasions. But, nothing has happened till date so far.” P Mohan emphasized that a CETP is necessary in Hingna MIDC as individual wastewater treatment systems are expensive for small-scale industries. A centralised CETP allows industries to pool resources, benefiting from economies of scale and significantly reducing the cost of wastewater treatment. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act mandates that all industries treat their wastewater to meet specific discharge norms. Small industries often lack the technical expertise and resources to meet these standards independently. A CETP will ensure that all effluents are treated uniformly and effectively, aligning with MPCB guidelines and reducing the risk of environmental violations. At present, the effluents generated by Hingna MIDC industries are transported via tankers to the CETP in Butibori.

 

This process is both costly and timeconsuming. Industries are burdened by high transportation fees in addition to treatment costs, he pointed out. To address these challenges, the MIDC Industries Association (MIA) Hingna proposed the establishment of a CETP within the industrial area. Land measuring 21,487.50 square meter was initially allotted at Plot No. P-141 for this purpose. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared, and necessary clearances were obtained from MPCB and the Ministry of Environment in 2015. However, in 2022, MIDC reduced the allotted land to 12,000 sq.m., citing other developmental priorities.“This reduction has raised concerns about the feasibility of constructing a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) CETP, which requires adequate space for advanced treatment facilities and infrastructure. The CETP at Hingna MIDC should be designed with latest technology to treat diverse industrial effluents through a multi-stage process, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental norms,” P Mohan stated.