Ghaziabad: At a monthly review meeting of District Ganga Committee, District Environment Committee and District Plantation Committee on Monday, the district magistrate instructed the environment department to map polluting sources entering the Hindon and submit weekly reports. They were asked to coordinate with the irrigation department officials to ensure the timely cleaning of all drains flowing into it.Atleast 10 major drains empty out into the river Hindon in Ghaziabad. Though there are treatment plants, none operate at optimum capacity, effectively dumping all of the city’s sewage into the river.In 2024, TOI reported about toxic industrial effluents being discharged into the Hindon from Tronica City Apparel Park, along with civic and electronic waste.In 2022, a report by the UP Pollution Control Board said that 310 industrial units – of these 220 in Ghaziabad – were dumping pollutants into Hindon across districts. Most of these were pulp, tanneries and dyeing industries.DM Ravindra Kumar Mandar also directed the department officials concerned to remove encroachments in the flood-prone areas and other places.The environment department was tasked with registering as many ongoing construction projects as possible on the Dust Control App and imposing penalties on institutions that were not operating in accordance with the standards. Mandar directed the departments to nominate nodal officers on the ‘Sameer’ portal and resolve all complaints within a week. All departments were instructed to provide factual reports, including photographs and GPS readings.While reviewing the District Plantation Committee, Mandar directed all the implementing departments to complete the verification of plantation sites. He asked them to inspect their respective areas and identify land for plantation during the upcoming monsoon season.
