Aurangabad, Dec 20:
The National Green Tribunal has turned its attention to the unauthorized reverse osmosis (RO) water plant in the state. A letter has been sent to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to close illegal RO plants. Accordingly, the MPCB has sent a letter to the municipal commissioner to close down illegal projects in the city. More than 150 RO plants that have been operating illegally for the last several years will be affected by the decision.
RO plants business earn lakhs of rupees on low-cost investments. The business of selling water jars without the permission of any government office is going on since the past many years. Millions of litres of groundwater is pumped every day. The corporation turned a blind eye as it did not have the authority to take action to date. A few years ago, the municipal corporation had conducted a survey on the number of water plants in the city. The survey revealed that there are more than 150 RO plants in the city. A no-objection certificate from the Central Groundwater Authority and the competent authority is required to set up bottling and cold water plants in the city. As per the rule, the project cannot be started without permission. Some citizens filed complaints with the NGT. Taking note, the NGT sent a letter to the MPCB instructing it to seal the illegal projects underway in the state. Accordingly, the MPCB has sent a letter to the municipal commissioner to close down the illegal bottling and cooling projects, in the municipal area, the sources said.
The water project should be registered
Drinking water purification project should be registered as per rules, with ISI mark and separate laboratory for water testing. However, 99 per cent of RO plant operators in the municipal area do not have permission. This poses a threat to the health of the citizens. The MPCB has informed the municipal commissioner in a letter that action should be taken against these illegal projects.