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Vadodara: The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has given a seven days ultimatum to more than six industries in Nandesari industrial area to use material in a way that it does not spread toxic stench and odour.
A decade and a half ago, when a pungent stench sometimes spread in Chhani, Nizampura, GPCB used to send teams to the industries. Now, the pungent stench spreads anytime, anywhere. About four days ago, a head-splitting stench spread following which, GPCB has once again undertaken a government-style exercise.
About six industries including Nandesari GIDC have received a 7-day ultimatum from GPCB. Under which the industries have to take the improvements and precautions suggested by GPCB. According to this guideline of GPCB, industries should use materials and processes that can spread stench in a controlled environment and change the time. Different guidelines have been issued for each industry.
GPCB Regional Officer Margiben Patel said that for the past 4 days, GPCB teams have been inspecting 4 to 6 units in person.
These industries were given an ultimatum:
Nandesari GIDC: There are all types of industries, so there is more than one source of odor
Refinery: Hydrocarbon
GSFC: Ammonia, sulfur dioxide-acid vapor
Reliance: Hydrocarbon
Panoli Intermediate: Volatile Organic Compounds
Jayant Agro: Volatile Organic Compounds
The impact of odor on people’s health has not been studied
The problem of odor in Vadodara is decades old, but when odor spreads, fear spreads in the minds of people. It is a problem involving thousands of people and so far no study has been conducted by the government on its impact on human health nor has any elected leader ever made a public demand about it.
Therefore, people’s lives are always in danger on this issue. GPCB Regional Officer Margibin Patel says that no single gas is responsible for this stench. A strange smell is created when more than two gases come together. This is not just a matter of pollutants. For example, some people do not like the smell of petrol, but just because it smells, it does not mean that it is a pollutant.
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