Dyeing units in Panipat to stay shut till curbs go

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, December 6

Irked over the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) directions to run industries for eight hours daily five days a week, the Panipat Dyers’ Association has decided to keep the units shut till the orders are revoked. In view of the rising air pollution in Delhi and NCR region, the CPCB has banned use of diesel generator sets in all 14 NCR districts and directed all industries to keep units shut on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Panipat textile industry relies heavily on dyeing units. Nearly 500 registered dyeing units are operational. Of these, 75 have only PNG and LPG connections.

Bheem Rana, president, Panipat Dyers’ Association, said air quality index (AQI) of Panipat was 89 (moderate) on Monday, while it was in the “hazardous” or “very unhealthy” category at several places in Delhi. He said, “The boilers take over two hours to heat up. We are left with only six hours to work. No job can be completed in such short time. We are being unfairly penalised.” Rana said the Panipat industry had been reeling under losses due to the pandemic for nearly two years. “We are in the peak season and exporters have good orders. If not allowed to operate at full capacity, the production will decline to 60%,” he rued.

He asked how could the Panipat industry be held responsible for poor air quality in the national capital? “We appeal to the CPCB to withdraw the restrictions,” Rana said.

Poor air quality in Delhi, NCR districts

• The CPCB has told Panipat units to operate for 8 hours daily, five days/week
• Dyeing unit owners fear they may lose orders as production set to decline
• Can’t be blamed for poor air quality in Delhi, they say