PPCB Collects Samples from Dhuri Ethanol Plant Amid Water Pollution Allegations
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has collected air, water, and soil samples from Harp Chemicals Private Limited's ethanol plant in Jahangir village after villagers alleged that the factory was causing water pollution.
Rohit Singla, executive engineer of PPCB Sangrur, said that the department received a complaint from the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) office in Dhuri following complaints by sarpanches of surrounding villages. A team visited the factory along with sarpanches and collected samples for testing.
The report is expected to be ready within 15 days. Singla also mentioned that the department received a complaint in June regarding black-coloured water, but the report is still under process. The PPCB inspects the factory every three months.
Harp Chemicals' managing director Pushpinder Singh denied the allegations and said that the plant produces ethanol from corn and rice supplied by farmers. He claimed that no poisonous water or gas is generated in the process, and treated water is reused at the facility.