NGT forms joint panel to probe violation claims against Faridabad electroplating units, waste treatment plant

Gurgaon: National Green Tribunal has formed a committee to investigate alleged violations of environmental norms by 250 electroplating units and the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) operating in Faridabad’s Sector 58 industrial area.The committee, comprising officials from CPCB, the state pollution board and Faridabad deputy commissioner, was directed to inspect the site, verify the allegations and recommend remedial measures as well as penalties if required. A report is due in eight weeks.The petitioner, Faridabad resident Narendra Sirohi, alleged that some electroplating units, despite being connected to the CETP, are discharging industrial effluent into open land and natural drains through tankers. Meanwhile, the CETP is allegedly not linked to the Continuous Emission/Effluent Monitoring System (CEMS), which is used for real-time monitoring. Additionally, mandatory disclosures and performance-related requirements under the Environmental (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2024, are not being complied with. Sirohi cited an RTI response dated March 3, 2026, claiming that no adequacy report of the CETP was available with Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).The bench observed that the matter raises a “substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms” and issued notices to the units. To support his claims, the petitioner said provisions of the Environmental (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2024, require state pollution control boards to upload quarterly performance status of CETPs and restrict expansion or addition of member industries where treatment facilities do not have adequate capacity or are non-compliant.According to CPCB’s Annual Activities Report under the Namami Gange Programme, 2023, the CETP, located at the Faridabad Electroplaters Association in Sector 58, has a design capacity of 0.65 MLD and serves about 210 industrial units. The report recorded an operational capacity utilisation of 98%. However, the report also noted a “trivial violation” in 2023, with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels recorded at 78 mg/l against the prescribed norm of 30 mg/l for discharge into a surface water body. The pH level was reported at 6.29 against the prescribed range of 6.5-8.5.“The pollution issue in the electroplating zone has persisted for years despite repeated complaints. The purpose of approaching the NGT is to ensure an independent verification of the functioning of the CETP and compliance by member industries. We hope the committee’s inspection will bring out the ground reality and lead to corrective action,” Sirohi said.Faridabad deputy commissioner will act as the nodal agency for the joint committee. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Aug 24, 2026.