Environment Minister's Surprise Checks Shut 5 Illegal Dye Units, Cut Power to 22

PRESS RELEASE Hon'ble Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. V.K. Rajeev, conducted a series of surprise field inspections during June 2026 at tannery, leather and other industries operating in Namakkal, Erode, Kallakurichi and Tenkasi districts. During inspection of more than 15 tannery/leather units in Kumarapalayam and Pallipalayam areas of Namakkal district, it was found that certain units were discharging effluent through drains into the river Cauvery without properly operating their Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board was ordered to take action against these units; the power connections of 22 defaulting units were disconnected, and 5 tannery units that were operating without the Board's permission were demolished and removed. During inspection of tannery, leather and cooking-oil refining units, the Perundurai SIPCOT Common Effluent Treatment Plant, and seepage-water treatment project works in Erode district, industries were instructed to fully treat and reuse their effluent through the effluent treatment plant and zero-liquid-discharge system. Officials were further instructed to expedite the initial construction works of the common effluent treatment plant being set up to treat seepage water flowing through the Nalla stream within the Perundurai SIPCOT industrial estate. Based on public complaints in Ulundurpettai in Kallakurichi district, an immediate field inspection was carried out. Although the units concerned were found not to be operating at the time, they were instructed that, when resuming operations, they must properly operate air pollution control equipment and effluent treatment plants and discharge only within the standards prescribed by the Board. During an inspection carried out at Vangarankovil in Tenkasi district, 20 tannery units operating without the permission of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board were identified, and on the orders of the Hon'ble Minister, steps are being taken to close them down. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board continues to maintain intensive monitoring to ensure environmental protection. The Hon'ble Minister for Environment and Climate Change stated that if closed units resume operations without fully rectifying the identified deficiencies, stringent legal action will be taken against them. Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9