Interactive Meeting with Chairman, GPCB at 11:00 am on 3rd July 2021 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall

An Interactive Meeting with Shri Sanjeev Kumar IAS, Chairman, GPCB and Vapi (VIA), Sarigam (SIA) and Umargam (UIA) Industries Associations was arranged at 1:00 am on 3rd July 2021 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall to discuss about the Environmental Issues and Challenges faced by the Industries Members of this region. The Interactive Meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Shri Sanjeev Kumar IAS, Chairman, GPCB in the presence of Shri Ramanbhai Patkar, Minister of State for Forest & Tribal Development, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri A V Shah, Member Secretary, GPCB, Shri N M Tabhani, Unit Head – Vapi, GPCB, Shri Kamlesh Patel, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Immd. Past President, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Shirishbhai Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Bhavesh Mehta, Invitee Member, VIA, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Director, VGEL, Shri Sharad Thakar, Past President, VIA, Shri Dinesh Kumar Parmar, RM, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Kaushik Gamit, Executive Engineer, GIDC, Vapi, Shri D B Sagar, Chief Officer, NAA, Vapi, Shri V Shivdasan, President, SIA, Shri Shamim Rizvi, Hon. Secretary, SIA, Shri Bhagwan N Bharvad, President, UIA and his team, Shri H N Ganvit, Lab Incharge & Sr. Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi and the officers of GPCB, Vapi & Sarigam and industries members. Shri Kamleshbhai delivered the Welcome Speech by welcoming all the dignitaries. Shri Prakashbhai made an visual representation on the following issues : ? Permission of 91 Industries Members for Additional Discharge of Effluent ? Permission for Expansion of CETP, Vapi from 55 MLD to 70 MLD ? Single Window Process for Environmental Clearance ? Siting Criteria for setting up Industrial Units ? Closure & EDC levied on Industries in case of Fire / Accidents ? Waiver in Schedule I & II Audit for the current year due to COVID 19 ? Environmental Clearance for Expansion of existing TSDF Site ? Waiver to Industries with Boiler capacity up to 6 tons from installation of Auto Lime Dozing System Shri A K Shah emphasized on the necessity for relaxation in the Siting Criteria to encourage Industrialization outside GIDC Estates. He also requested to give relaxation to Boiler using Industries up to 6 Tons from installing auto lime dozing system. Shri Kalpeshbhai gave a brief visual presentation on the activities of Green Society of VIA and upcoming Oxygen Park to be developed by Green Society. Shri Kanubhai said that to maintain sustainable growth in the Estate the expansion of CETP is very important as that will also allow the industries to discharge additional load of effluent. He also represented that GPCB should jointly study the report of NIO which stated that part of the Damanganga River where the CETP, Vapi is discharging the treated water falls under estuary zone and once the same is established the Industries and CETP may enjoy relaxed discharge norms. He then said that earlier GIDC has allotted around 5 Acres of Land to VGEL for establishing the new TSDF Site but the same could not be done as there were some issues with the local villagers, but now as the same has been resolved we came to know that the tract for the Bullet Train will be passing through the said land and therefore the same cannot be used, he therefore requested the Chairman, GPCB to pursue the matter with GIDC to some other suitable land near by Vapi Industrial Estate for establishing the new TSDF Site. Shri Maheshbhai said that the Industries need to have relaxed discharged norms to remain viable and the same can be obtained through deep sea discharge only, he therefore requested the Hon’ble Chairman, GPCB to do the needful to procure the required fund from the Government bodies for early completion of the Pipeline Project for Deep Sea Discharge. Shri Shirishbhai Desai gave a brief presentation on the performance of CETP of Sarigam and the mass tree plantation activities exercised by SIA jointly with Forest Department to increase greenery in the region and to maintain ecological balance. He also represented for establishment of a suitable TSDF Site at Sarigam. Shri A V Shah gave very satisfactory point to point response to the representations made by the representatives of Industries & Associations. Shri Ramanbhai Patkar urged GPCB to impose relaxed norms for Industries established in the rural & village areas to encourage industrialization in rural areas, he also requested to focus on mass tree plantation and forestation activities. Shri Sanjeev Kumar during his speech appreciated the works done by the Green Society of VIA for safe keeping of the Environment and to maintain ecological balance. He further emphasized that as Industrialization is important for contributing to the GDP and generation of employment, taking care of the environment is as important to offer a better environment and ambiance to our next generation and to maintain sustainable growth. The Chairman, GPCB then visited the CETP, Vapi and inaugurated a 40 MTD Solar Sun Drying System.