Ludhiana, Feb. 11 -- The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued closure notices to 20 industrial units, operating in mixed land use areas without proper waste management systems, in the past one month. Some units have been situated in residential areas, disposing of hazardous waste "illegally" in sewer lines, leading to rising pollution levels in local waterbodies. Under its drive against such units "violating" pollution norms, the PPCB targeted hosiery, printing and electroplating units.

Among these 20 units, six operating near Gau Ghat were issued notices on February 5 when the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) was asked to disconnect their electricity connections. These factories were found discharging chemical ...