The authorities have failed to shift most of the dyeing units operating from residential and non-conforming areas to the special industrial zone in HUDA Sector 29 Part-II here. The zone was created a few years ago. More that 525 of nearly 750 dyeing units are still operating from residential and non-conforming areas, including the Kutani road, Babail road, Kabri road, Chandni Bagh, Tehsil Camp and Kala Bagh near Ugra Kheri. The authorities have apparently turned a blind eye towards the pollution caused by these dyeing units, especially in the residential areas, as much of the effluents produced by these units either flow into open drains or vacant land. Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) regional officer Rajesh Garia said: “The process of closing down such units has already been launched.” “The policy of relocating the dyeing units to the special industrial zone will be implemented at the earliest,” said Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi. However, effluents produced by the 222 units shifted to the industrial zone do not seem to be treated properly by the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP). After treatment, effluents keep on stagnating in a pond near the CETP itself. Stating that the CETP is under capacity, Panipat Dyeing Association (PDA) president Yash Pal Malik said its capacity should be increased at least 50 MLD and the drain carrying effluents to the CETP should also be covered. Several officer-bearers of the PDA and some HSPCB employees alleged that the private company hired by HUDA to run the CETP most of the times release effluents without treating it to save money. CETP site in charge of Ghaziabad-based Rehman Builders Private Limited, Jitendra Kumar, denied the allegation of releasing effluents without treatment. “One can not judge the toxicity by unpleasant colour and stink,” he said. “Treated effluents” are discharged into a drain near Siwah which ultimately flows into the Yamuna near Khojkipur and goes to Delhi.