New Delhi, Oct 23 (KNN) In order to control water pollution during the Kumbh Mela, Pollution control authorities in Uttar Pradesh have asked sugar mills and distilleries to ensure that zero effluent discharge goes into the water bodies, especially in the Ganga Basin.

They are also to be commissioned before the start of cane crushing season commencing from November this year.

The mills have also been directed to ensure that untreated effluent is not discharged in water bodies.

Sugar mills, particularly those having distilleries, have been asked by Ashish Vidyarthi from Central Pollution Control Board to stabilize effluent treatment plants in their mills before the start of cane crushing season and set up environment management cell.

He said, the process of ensuring clean water for Kumbh Mela would start in December 2018 itself and the industries would be subjected to stringent routine and surprise inspections.

In the wake of Kumbh, the central and state agencies have raised the level of pollution control monitoring and checks for ensuring a cleaner Ganga.

He added, the NGT had also ordered the constitution of a committee for the outstanding molasses inventory with the state sugar mills.

Organic matter found in distillery effluents cause oxygen depletion, increasing risks for aquatic life.

Distilleries are part of the highly polluting industries such as sugar and pharmaceuticals. Untreated effluents released into water bodies during monsoon cannot be checked during sampling due to high current in tributaries.

The UPPCB had also issued closure notices on distilleries that had been making compost sans insulators.

Managements of distilleries were directed to raise manure storage areas to about 30 cm above ground level with a maximum prescribed height of four meters.

 It had directed that compost be kept under sheds or covered with PVC sheets to prevent it from soaking in rainwater.

UP Sugar Mills Association organized a one-day interactive meet on ‘Sugar industry and environment’ in Lucknow.