Hyderabad: The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has initiated action against sweet manufacturing units in Hyderabad and surrounding areas for violating environmental regulations, including discharging untreated wastewater and using prohibited single-use plastics.
The Board inspected seven prominent establishments following public complaints about pollution and non-compliance with environmental requirements. During the inspections, officials identified violations involving mandatory operating permissions, wastewater treatment facilities and plastic packaging regulations.
Three of the seven establishments lacked the required environmental clearances or Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). They were also found discharging untreated wastewater directly into public drains.
Meanwhile, the remaining four units held valid operational consents, according to the Board’s findings. The TGPCB constituted Rolling Task Force Teams to investigate complaints involving sweet manufacturing establishments in the city and nearby areas.
Officials conducted inspections at seven units to examine compliance with environmental regulations and mandatory pollution control requirements. The teams identified establishments operating without Consent for Establishment (CFE) and Consent for Operation (CFO), as required under applicable regulations.
Additionally, inspectors found violations of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The violations included the use of banned Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) and improper disposal of wastewater.
Following the inspections, the Board summoned representatives of all seven establishments to appear before its Task Force Committees. The hearings took place on November 5 at the TGPCB’s Hyderabad and R.C. Puram zonal offices.
Three units found operating without clearances
During its review, the Board found that four of the seven sweet manufacturing units possessed valid operational consents. However, three establishments lacked mandatory permissions or wastewater treatment infrastructure.
The Board also found that these units were releasing untreated wastewater into public drainage systems. The absence of Effluent Treatment Plants raised concerns about compliance with wastewater treatment requirements.
Furthermore, the inspection findings included violations related to prohibited plastic materials used in packaging. The Board examined these violations as part of its enforcement action against the establishments.
TGPCB directs strict wastewater treatment compliance
The Telangana Pollution Control Board instructed all sweet manufacturers to comply with prescribed wastewater treatment standards. It directed establishments to ensure proper treatment of effluents before disposal into public drainage systems.
Moreover, the Board ordered manufacturers to completely discontinue the use of prohibited single-use plastics in their packaging operations. The directions followed the inspection findings and subsequent hearings involving representatives of the seven units.
The TGPCB reiterated its zero-tolerance approach towards industrial pollution and violations of environmental regulations. It also emphasised that sweet manufacturing units must comply with mandatory permissions, wastewater treatment requirements and applicable plastic waste management rules.