Acidic Industrial Waste Dumping Near National Highway 8 in Vadodara, Three Arrested

The LCB Zone-3 team arrested three people for allegedly dumping industrial chemical waste near National Highway 8 in front of Makarpura Christian Cemetery in Vadodara. A tanker, two cans, four mobile phones and cash and other items worth a total of ₹10.13 lakh were seized during the operation.

GPCB finds acidic waste

Police received information on August 17 that people were bringing a tanker to discharge industrial chemical liquid near the cemetery. Acting on the information, the LCB team conducted a raid with officials from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) between 9 am and 1.30 pm.

During the operation, police allegedly found Rajesh Bhursingh Pargi, Indrajit Iqbalsingh Sardar and Megha Sindha Bharwad discharging liquid from a tanker.

Police seized the tanker containing the suspected chemical waste, two cans filled with liquid and four mobile phones. Cash and other items worth a total of ₹10.13 lakh were also seized for investigation.

Waste could harm water sources and soil

GPCB officials collected samples of the liquid during the operation. The subsequent report found the waste to be acidic in nature.

According to the findings, such liquid can pose a risk to rivers, lakes, drains, groundwater and soil if discharged improperly.

Based on the GPCB report, Kapurai police registered a case against the three accused under the Environment (Protection) Act for allegedly discharging the liquid in a manner that could endanger human life and for negligence.

Police probe possible wider operation

Police are now investigating whether the accused had carried out similar dumping activities on earlier occasions.

Investigators are also checking the possible involvement of the manager of the company linked to the chemical-containing liquid. The probe will also establish where the liquid was sourced and why it was being transported and discharged at the spot.