Major crackdown by the administration in Loni; 25 illegal factories sealed; metal smelting was causing pollution.
Ghaziabad. The administration has taken major action against illegal, polluting factories in the Loni area of Ghaziabad, which borders Delhi. On Tuesday, a joint team comprising officials from various departments conducted a drive in the area and sealed 25 illegal factories. These factories were engaged in unauthorized metal smelting operations, which were contributing to rising air pollution in the vicinity.
The administration’s move caused panic among the operators of these illegal factories. Many operators fled the scene as soon as they learned of the impending action. In addition to shutting down the factories, the team disconnected their electricity supplies to prevent the resumption of illegal activities.
Reports indicate that complaints regarding the illegal operation of factories in certain parts of the Loni area had been received for some time. These factories were involved in metal smelting, a process that released smoke and toxic gases, adversely affecting the local environment. Local residents had frequently lodged complaints regarding pollution and associated health issues.
Acting on these complaints, the administration constituted a joint team of officials and staff from various departments. On Tuesday, the team visited the Loni area and began inspecting the illegal factories one by one. During the inspection, several factories were found to be operating without the necessary permits or adherence to regulations.
Officials inspected the factory documents on-site. Immediate action was taken against factories that lacked the required operational documents or were found to be violating environmental norms; consequently, 25 factories were sealed.
The administrative team was accompanied by Electricity Department personnel during the operation. The power connections of the sealed factories were disconnected to ensure that operators could not restart their machinery. Officials emphasized that action against those violating regulations would continue in the future.
This crackdown has sparked concern among those involved in illegal businesses in the area. Many factory operators fled the scene as soon as they got wind of the operation. However, the administration has stated that information regarding the absconding individuals is being gathered, and action will be taken against them in accordance with the rules.
The administration maintains that continuous monitoring regarding pollution control is being conducted in the Loni area. These illegal factories were not only damaging the environment but also adversely affecting the health of local residents.
According to experts, smoke emitted from metal smelting units can degrade air quality. The harmful substances present in the emissions can cause respiratory problems; this is why strict regulations have been established for the operation of such units.
Officials stated that such enforcement actions would continue in the Loni area in the coming days. The administration aims to crack down on factories operating without authorization or in violation of environmental norms.
Local residents have welcomed this move by the administration. They noted that the area had long been plagued by pollution issues and expressed hope that the strict measures against illegal factories would bring them relief.
So far, the administration has sealed 25 factories, and further investigations are underway. Officials have indicated that action will also be taken against other units found to be violating regulations.