No New Ethanol Plants in Himachal Pradesh Amid Water and Pollution Concerns
Himachal Pradesh has decided not to permit new ethanol plants amid concerns over high water consumption and environmental pollution. The government is also planning to impose restrictions on power-intensive and hazardous industries.
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The Himachal Pradesh government has decided not to permit the establishment of new ethanol plants in the state, citing concerns over high water consumption and potential environmental pollution.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan made the announcement in the state Assembly on Thursday while responding to a Calling Attention Motion raised by Nalagarh MLA Hardeep Singh Bawa over air and water pollution.
Chauhan said ethanol plants can consume between 500,000 and 1 million litres of water per day, making them unsuitable for Himachal Pradesh, where water resources are under increasing pressure. He also pointed to potential risks of air, surface-water, and groundwater pollution associated with such industrial units.
The decision is part of a broader approach by the state government to discourage industries with high resource requirements or significant environmental impacts. Chauhan said businesses consuming excessive amounts of water or electricity, or generating substantial pollution, would not be approved.
Existing ethanol plant under scrutiny
The announcement came amid concerns over an existing ethanol plant in Nalagarh, where residents have complained about foul odour and pollution. MLA Hardeep Singh Bawa raised the issue in the Assembly, highlighting the problems faced by people living near the facility.
The government said an immediate shutdown of the existing plant would not be feasible. Instead, it plans to work on a long-term solution, including identifying an alternative location for relocating the facility.
Restrictions on resource-intensive industries
The state government is also looking to restrict other industries that place a heavy burden on Himachal's electricity resources or generate hazardous waste. Chauhan said steel reinforcement bar units established under the Centre's industrial package consume around 50 MW to 100 MW of electricity each, while the state does not have sufficient power capacity to support such energy-intensive industries.
The policy direction is consistent with the state's plans for a new industrial policy focused on green industries, food processing and employment-intensive manufacturing, while discouraging industries with high water and power consumption and those considered environmentally harmful.
