As India races toward economic growth, a silent struggle unfolds in the shadows of its industrial hubs. The country’s 3,519 Gross Polluting Industries (GPIs) — factories and plants notorious for their environmental impact — stand at a critical juncture, balancing regulation, sustainability, and economic survival.
While some industries have successfully adapted to stricter environmental norms, others have crumbled under financial and regulatory pressures, shutting down operations altogether. A closer look at the numbers reveals a stark reality: nearly 80 per cent of India’s GPIs are concentrated in just two States — Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. With Uttar Pradesh alone accounting for 47 per cent of all GPIs, the State remains the epicentre of India’s industrial pollution crisis.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines GPIs as an industry discharging effluents into a water course and handling hazardous substances and/or generating effluents having biochemical oxygen demand load of 100 kg per day or more.
The Heavyweights of Pollution
Data presented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in the Rajya Sabha last month sheds light on the scale of this issue. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 1,644 GPIs, of which 410 industries have voluntarily shut down. This leaves 1,234 operational units, of which 1,179 are reported to be complying with environmental standards.
In Haryana, the second-largest hub of GPIs, the numbers tell a similar story. Of the 1,140 total GPIs, 174 have ceased operations on their own. Of the 966 operational industries, 957 are adhering to environmental norms, reflecting an impressive compliance rate.
Chhattisgarh and Gujarat have the largest proportion of their GPIs not complying with environmental standards. In Chhattisgarh, out of 29 operational GPIs, eight are not complying with environmental standards, per the data.
Across the country, the numbers paint a complex picture. While 81 per cent (2,849 GPIs) remain operational, a significant 19 per cent (670 GPIs) have voluntarily shut down. The data show that 97 per cent of India’s GPIs are reportedly complying with environmental standards. The remaining 3 per cent are still flouting regulations, contributing to unchecked pollution.
Crackdown on Polluters
The CPCB, in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), is keeping a close watch on these industries, according to the Ministry. All GPIs are monitored in real-time through the Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS), ensuring compliance with wastewater discharge norms.
Per the data, show-cause notices have been issued to 21 non-compliant GPIs. Closure directions have been served to 73 industries, including 55 in Uttar Pradesh and five in Haryana.
Additionally, the CPCB conducts random surprise inspections to verify compliance. Industries found violating norms face strict legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The Road Ahead
While India’s efforts to regulate pollution-intensive industries have significantly improved compliance, challenges remain. The voluntary closure of 670 GPIs raises concerns about the economic viability of smaller industries struggling to meet regulatory standards.
For industrial powerhouses like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, the challenge is two-fold — ensuring environmental sustainability while maintaining economic growth.
