TNPCB consent must for buildings having over 20,000 sq.m to operate

CHENNAI: As a step to protect the waterbodies and environment, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has come out with an order asking the public to get consent from the board if the built-up area is more than 20,000 sq.m to operate.

This is to make sure that the big buildings have sewage treatment plants and that the untreated sewage is not discharged into waterbodies and stormwater drains, which causes pollution.

"All the building construction projects, including multistoried apartment buildings, IT parks and commercial establishments having built-up areas of more than 20,000 sq.m shall get consent to operate from the TNPCB. And, those who got the consent should renew it regularly and should operate the facility only with valid consent," as per the TNPCB order.

In the case of residential apartment complexes, owners' associations shall apply and get consent and subsequently renew the consent regularly. The STP shall be maintained and operated efficiently to meet the standards. The treated sewage should be recycled, and used for gardening, and tree plantation as per consent order conditions.

They should provide an Online Continuous Effluent Quality Monitoring System (OCEMS) to monitor the treated sewage quality and connect the same to the CPCB and TNPCB’s Water Quality Watch server.

"The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials will conduct surprise inspections of the multistoried apartment buildings, IT parks, commercial establishments etc. In case of any violations noticed action will be taken to close the premises, disconnect of power supply and even sealing of the premises. And environmental compensation will be levied on the occupier," mentioned the TNPCB release.