New Delhi, Mar 9 (KNN) Amidst rising level of pollution, industries find it difficult to sustain growth as National Green Tribunal (NGT) is sending closure notices to industries in different states for violating pollution norms.

While Delhi remains the most polluted capital in the world, Haryana's Gurugram has emerged as the most polluted city, according to a study report conducted by environment NGO Greenpeace India.

On this alarming situation, KNN India spoke to Manmohan Gaind, Vice President of Manesar Industries Welfare Association (MIWA) about the present situation of environment degradation due to industrial pollution.

Highlighting on the issue, Gaind said “Pollution is a great threat to our existence and all measures are to be in place so that we don’t do pollution in name of growth.”

He stated that the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) industrial units are governed by very strict rules as far as pollution is concerned and the power to Pollution Control Board (PCB) to close such units has led to rampant corruption in administration of the laws and no focus on the industrial unit to not pollute.

On asking the solution of this problem, Gaind added “The solution to the issue is not closure but a hand holding of MSME units to put all measures to curb pollution.”

If the unit still don’t cooperate with the authorities than only harsh measures should be taken, he opined.

Instead of enforcing law with iron hand, India needs policy programs that seek to promote both industrialization and environment protection, he added.

He said “We need policies that aim to reduce pollution and support industrial growth as well.”

The data gathered by Greenpeace highlights that out of 20 most polluted cities in the world, 18 are in India.

According to the report, Gurugram in Haryana was identified as the city with the worst air quality in the world in 2018 at an annual average concentration of pollutant PM 2.5 at 135.8 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), followed by Ghaziabad at the second position with an annual average concentration of 135.2 ug/m3 in 2018.

Meanwhile, the position for number four was held by Faridabad with 129.1 ug/m3 followed by Bhiwadi with 125.4 ug/m3 and Noida with 123.6 ug/m3. Noida at position six on the list was succeeded by the state capital of Bihar, Patna with 119.7 ug/m3 followed by the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow with an annual average concentration in 2018 of 115.7 ug/m3. (KNN/YV)