Chhattisgarh Assembly Grapples with Escalating Industrial Pollution Crisis
In a critical session of the Chhattisgarh legislative assembly on Friday, the pressing issues of industrial pollution and hazardous waste management took center stage during the Question Hour. Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant spearheaded the discussion, voicing deep concerns over the sluggish pace of emission monitoring and its detrimental effects on the state's long-term environmental objectives.
Alarming Surge in Polluting Industries
The state government disclosed a startling statistic: currently, 665 industrial units across Chhattisgarh are actively generating hazardous waste. This poses severe and escalating risks to human health, livestock populations, and the broader ecological balance. Environment Minister OP Choudhary, responding on behalf of the government, confirmed these figures and provided a detailed situational overview.
Expressing grave concern over this sharp increase, Mahant highlighted a stark contrast. During a previous assembly session held on February 23, 2024, the officially stated number of polluting industries was only 163. He vehemently questioned the administration about this dramatic rise to 665 within such a short timeframe, underscoring the growing environmental and public health implications for the state's residents.
Government's Monitoring and Enforcement Measures
In his detailed response, Minister Choudhary outlined the pollution control measures currently in place. These include the mandatory installation of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) in industrial chimneys, designed to curb harmful emissions. However, he acknowledged a significant compliance issue: complaints have surfaced that some industries deliberately switch off these energy-intensive systems to save on electricity costs, leading to periods of unchecked pollution.
To enhance transparency and real-time oversight, the minister reported that Online Emission Monitoring Systems have been successfully installed in 19 industries to date. Furthermore, an IoT-based monitoring infrastructure has been implemented in 124 out of a targeted 146 units. The deployment costs for this digital framework are being borne by the Chhattisgarh Environment Board. The government's stated goal is to bring all industrial units under this comprehensive digital monitoring umbrella in the near future.
Funding and Administrative Overhaul
Addressing the critical question of funding, Minister Choudhary clarified that no separate budget allocation has been made for installing these monitoring systems. Instead, the financial responsibility falls on the industries themselves as a condition under the 'Consent to Operate' provisions. The equipment for monitoring typically costs between ₹4 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Additional resources for environmental initiatives are generated through penalties imposed on violators of pollution norms.
Highlighting administrative reforms, Choudhary pointed to past structural gaps—particularly the absence of dedicated Regional Officers—which hampered effective monitoring. A revised organisational structure has now been introduced, and the government expects to fill all relevant administrative posts within one year to significantly strengthen regulatory oversight. The assembly discussion also specifically addressed pollution concerns in major industrial hubs, including Raigarh, Korba, and Raipur.
Waste Management and a New Landfill Facility
Mahant raised pointed queries regarding hazardous waste generated by specific facilities, such as BALCO in Korba, including metal-bearing waste and fly ash. Acknowledging the seriousness of these issues, the minister detailed steps taken to improve waste management infrastructure.
A significant development is the establishment of a 50-acre scientific landfill site by the Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This state-of-the-art facility, operational since May 23, 2025, is engineered to safely manage approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of hazardous waste annually for a projected lifespan of up to 30 years. Minister Choudhary explicitly clarified that this landfill will handle only waste generated within Chhattisgarh's borders and will not accept hazardous material from outside the state.
Persistent Health Concerns and Calls for Assessment
Despite these outlined measures, concerns over the profound health impact of sustained industrial pollution persist. Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant issued a compelling call for a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to be conducted in key industrial regions. This assessment would be crucial for scientifically evaluating the long-term health effects on local residents, providing data-driven insights for future policy and intervention.
