Ready to remove untreated effluent near Hapur plant: Coca Cola

Beverages major Coca Cola has told the National Green Tribunal that its Hapur plant in Uttar Pradesh was ready to "lift and transfer" untreated effluent behind its unit, after a plea alleged that it was discharging waste in a nearby pond.

"It is submitted on behalf of the Counsel appearing for Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd that they will be filing an affidavit to bring before this tribunal the resolution of the entire controversy by entering into an agreement with the Irrigation Department Bulandshahr to bodily lift the untreated effluent and transfer to Hasanpur Nala for its ultimate disposal," a bench headed by Justice U D Salvi noted.

The NGT directed the soft drink company to file the affidavit before September 13 and give advance copies to other parties in the case.

The submission came after the counsel for Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) submitted a report on its re- inspection carried out on July 5.

The green panel had ordered re-inspection by Central Pollution Control Board and UPPCB after going through the report of a court commissioner which found "openings" and "leakages" at a few spots in the boundary wall of the plant.

Earlier, the NGT had appointed an advocate as commissioner to inspect the premises of the beverages major after a plea had alleged that the plant was releasing untreated effluents into the pond situated on the back side of the factory area-UPSIIDC Wide Park Land.

The green panel had directed Coca Cola to pay Rs 20,000 as fees to the Court Commissioner and asked him to videograph and take pictures of the work done and file his report.

The counsel appearing for Coca Cola had refuted the claims and asked the tribunal to appoint local commissioner to inspect the site in question and submit correct facts with regard to the boundary wall of the company.

The tribunal had issued notice to the company last year after finding "alarming facts" in an inspection report of Central Pollution Control Board.

It had also directed Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd to submit a drainage map of its plant in Hapur, giving details of sewage and trade effluents generated from the factory.

The NGT was hearing a plea by one Sanjay Kumar seeking restraint on the alleged illegal discharge of untreated waste water into the pond situated behind the Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd's plant in Hapur.