Paper Mills in Vapi and Environment

S.G. Rangan
"Akshyaya', W-1l6A, Anna Nagar, West Extn., Chennai-600 101 (T.N.)

Indian Pulp and Paper Industry was in growing stage in facility of CETP has been extended to provide treatment
50's and 60's. The location for the mills for manufacture to commercial waste/sewage of domestic sector to the
of Paper/BoardlNewsprint was mainly hinging on Vapi industrial township also and current treated
closeness to rivers. The water consumption per tonne of combined waste water on an average of 42,00 m' per
those years was quite high at 400 cu.m.tonne level. There day.
were no pollution control boards and hence untreated
The total water treatment scheme of Vapi Estate
effiuent could be let into the rivers by the mills. People
involves collection, Conveyance of partially treated
• living close by the mills and even utilising the river did
not object to this practice. Getting employment
industrial effiuent through 90 km of Undergrousd piping
grid laid in estate by GlOC and with the help of Four
opportunities and improvement of standard of living for
pumping stations. The entire volume of liquid effluent
themselves were the main objectives. Hence most of the
generated by industrial, commercial and domestic sectors
green field paper mills that came up in 50's up to 70's
is sent to CETP for Treatment prior to final discharge.
were located within 3-4 kms of the river bank. After the
The treatment provided at CETP is aimed at removing
pollution control board came in early 80's and the public
suspended solids, BOD and COD to limits of 100 ppm
also became aware of the after effects of pollution all
ss/100 ppm BOD and 250 ppm COD before final
the and Paper Mills had to take immediate step for
discharge. The treatment process is based on "Activated
• pollution abatement. Before planning new greed field
Sludge Process". The complex composite effluent from
mills or expansion/modernisation of exiting mills
over 1300 units, over 80% being in micro/small and
pollution abatement was given the top most priority.
medium scale units, (657 being member units with
Location of green field mills had to be far away from
potentially polluting nature of effiuent) and about 12000
• the rivers and expansions were allowed only if the project
m3/day sewage from non industrial sector, is treated with
took care of pollution abatement.
the microorganism developed and maintained with fine
The town of Vapi about 40 sq. kms in area abounds tuning of Feed to air ratio in agitated aeration with
in paper mills. About 45-50 paper mills manufacturing activated sludge.
Kraft, Writing and Printing, Duplex Board and
The CETP removes on an average of 70 tonnes per
Newsprint varieties of Paper are located in the Industrial
day of total organic load and about 30 tonnes of
Estate of Gujarat State Industrial Development
suspended solids from the effiuent thus preventing the
Corporation (GIDC). These mills convert the waste into
pollution of surface water. The entire system has ensured
wealth by utilising as raw materials Indigenous and
that top soil, subsoil, water bodies and surface water are
Imported waste paper. Just as in countries like U.K. the
prevented from pollution from sewage as well as
paper manufacturing units are located amidst thickly
industrial effiuent. Pollution control at individual level
populated area in Vapi town. All the industries located
is mandatory, however for proper functioning of CETP
here have enrolled themselves in Vapi Industries
it is necessary to monitor this and round the clock
Association which is a separate entity and cooperative
monitoring of entire estate's liquid effiuent handling
venture promoted by the member units of Vapi estate.
system by company's specially trained staff help keep
GlDC supplies water, power (through Gujarat State check on the quality of effluent discharged into
Electricity Board) and land encouraging all types of underground conveying system. Pollution abatement is
industries to grow in this area. Further from 1996 a given more importance over pollution control. The effect
Common Effluent Treatment Plant, India's largest of is of these steps in last three years has made substantial
kind was set up with an Installed capacity of 55 million improvement in reduction of water consumption per unit
litre/day. The plant has since been commissioned on 17th of production, reduced waste generation and thus helped
January and is operating since then and provide offset cost of environment management. The success of
treatment to entire liquid effluent generated by the concept has also made qualitative change in attitude of
industrial sector of Vapi estate. From Dec. 1998, the industry towards their social responsibilities and the

IPPTA J. Vol. 14, No.4, Oct.-Dec. 2002 67

result is that the contributing members. have readily 95% of the water intake and the industries are charged
agreed to extend the treatment facilities for sewage by the CETP as per volume of BOD and COD discharged.
without charge and even cost of supply of water from VIA has formed a separate entity, a cooperative venture
GIDC's to near by villages is also shared by industry. promoted .by the member units of Vapi Estate - Vapi
Another very positive aspect is that past hostile attitude Waste & Effluent Management Company Limited - a
of general public has softened with such genuine concern company limited by Guarantee by members, with specific
expressed by industry and its result oriented programme task of comprehensive management of environment of
implementations. There is a growing acknowledgement Vapi estate. The beneficiaries Industries Units are
that it is possible to have commitment and responsible members of the company who share the capital costs and
work ethics. cost of operations as per agreed formula formulated and
decided by the General Body. Thus VWEMCL is founded
The paper units pay for the water as per the meter on Cooperative Participation model with A Corporate
provided by Gujarat state Industrial Development culture of Management.
Corporation. The volume of effluent is approximately

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68 IPPTA J. Vol. 14. No.4. Ocr-Dec. 2002