Patna: A high-level review meeting addressing environmental challenges and the functioning of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Prem Kumar, Bihar’s Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The meeting took place in the Sanjay Auditorium at Aranya Bhawan, Patna, with senior officials and representatives from various departments in attendance.
Focus on Urban Pollution
The minister expressed concern over escalating air, water, and noise pollution in cities such as Patna. A detailed review of ongoing actions to mitigate these issues was conducted, emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures.
Progress in Flue Gas Desulfurization
Compliance with a previous review meeting held on December 10, 2024 was reported. Six National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) units in Bihar are in the process of installing Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems. While units at Barh, Nabinagar, Kahalgaon, and BRBCL have completed 50-80% of the work, tendering for the Kanti and Barauni plants is still underway. All installations are expected to be completed by December 2026.
Biomedical Waste Disposal
The minister sought updates on biomedical waste management in hospitals and nursing homes. The Board reported that four Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs) are operational, ensuring environmentally friendly disposal.
Tackling Manpower Shortages
Acknowledging the Board’s human resource shortage, the Minister directed the department to expedite recruitment processes to strengthen operational capabilities.
Addressing E-Waste
In a bid to manage electronic waste effectively, the minister instructed the establishment and operationalization of e-waste processing and recycling units across the state.
Ban on Single-Use Plastics
The continued availability of banned single-use plastics in markets drew sharp criticism from the minister. He directed municipal bodies to conduct raids in mission mode through city squads. District Environmental Committees were tasked with reviewing progress and reporting compliance.
Monitoring Ganga’s Water Quality
The meeting reviewed the water quality of the Ganga, noting that pH, DO, BOD, COD, and TSS levels were within permissible limits. However, Total Coliform (TC) and Faecal Coliform (FC) levels exceeded standards due to untreated sewage discharge. Under the Namami Gange project, multiple Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under construction in locations such as Patna, Barh, Sonpur, and Sultanganj. Directions were issued to expedite these projects and improve river water quality.
Managing Waste Near Rivers
The dumping of solid waste along riverbanks was highlighted as a serious issue. Municipal bodies were instructed to impose fines on offenders and remove waste. District Environmental Committees were directed to oversee these activities.
Raising Awareness
Recognizing the cultural importance of the Falgu River in Gaya, the minister called for public awareness campaigns. Hoardings along riverbanks will discourage the dumping of plastics, solid waste, and industrial effluents.
Ban on Stubble Burning
The state government reaffirmed its ban on stubble burning, warning that violators would be denied government subsidies for three years.
Crackdown on Illegal Brick Kilns
The Board reported converting over 5,000 brick kilns to cleaner technologies. The minister ordered the preparation of a list of legal brick kilns and strict action against illegal operations.
Appeal for Public Cooperation
The Minister commended the Board’s efforts in pollution control and directed timely completion of pending tasks. He also called for continuous monitoring of air quality in cities such as Patna, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur, urging public cooperation in combating pollution.
