The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has identified a total of 36 untreated discharge points into drain number-6, which flows from Panipat to Sonepat and eventually empties into the Yamuna River. The board has initiated action against 36 industrial units during the financial year 2025-26.
Approximately 42.17 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated domestic effluent is being directly released into this drain. The Regional Officer (RO) of HSPCB in Sonepat has prepared a detailed report on the condition of drain-6.
Drain-6: Origin and Pollution Load
According to the report, drain-6 originates from Samalkha town in Panipat and enters Sonepat district at Bhora Rasulpur on the Sonepat border with an average quantum load of 60-70 MLD. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) load at this point is 260 mg/l, resulting in an estimated pollution load of 15,600 kg per day.
The drain then enters Delhi from the Narela/Singhu border with an average quantum load of approximately 220 MLD and a BOD load of 78 mg/l, contributing an estimated pollution load of 17,160 kg per day. This is after the confluence of the Bakner drain, which carries approximately 90 MLD with a BOD load of 90 mg/l and an estimated pollution load of 8,100 kg per day from the jurisdiction of Delhi near Piau Manyari.
Discharge Points in Panipat and Sonepat
The report details that a total of 42.7 MLD of untreated effluent is discharged into drain-6 through 11 discharge points in Panipat, with a quantum load of 12.9 MLD, and 25 discharge points in Sonepat district, with a quantum load of 29.27 MLD.
In addition to untreated discharge, a total of 90.5 MLD of treated discharge enters drain-6 through five sewage treatment plants (STPs), including one in Samalkha, and four common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in HSIIDC areas at Brahi, Rai, Kundli, and Murthal.
Inspections and Enforcement Actions
The HSPCB conducted inspections of 12 industrial units in HSIIDC Rai and Barhi, finding four units violating environmental norms. Additionally, 12 industrial units were found bypassing untreated effluent into drain-6.
Ajay Singh, RO of HSPCB, stated that action has been initiated against a total of 36 industrial units during the financial year 2025-26. Of these, 13 units have been sealed, 22 units have been recommended for resampling, and one unit has been permanently sealed.
In February, a total of 45 industrial units were inspected, out of which 14 were found non-complying. In March and April, three units were inspected, and one unit was sealed. Furthermore, 12 industrial units were inspected jointly by HSPCB and HSIIDC in April, with four units found non-complying. Action has been initiated against all non-complying units.
