Major industrial companies, including Reliance Industries, Grasim Industries, Nirma Ltd, Gujarat Fluorochemicals, and GHCL, have received environmental clearances to discharge treated industrial effluents into the Arabian Sea along the Gujarat coast.
Collectively, these projects allow the discharge of over 460 million litres per day (MLD) of treated wastewater through marine outfall pipelines extending more than 110 km. This move reflects the growing reliance on regulated marine disposal systems for industrial wastewater management.
Key Approvals Across Major Industrial Units
Among the approved projects, Reliance Industries has secured the largest clearance for its petrochemical complex in Dahej, permitting the discharge of approximately 63 MLD of treated effluent via an offshore pipeline.
Similarly, Grasim Industries has been allowed to release 27 MLD from its Indian Rayon unit in Veraval, while Nirma Ltd has received approval to discharge 12 MLD from its soda ash plant in Bhavnagar. In addition, Gujarat Fluorochemicals at Dahej has been cleared for 3.2 MLD, and GHCL units in Kutch and Gir Somnath have received approvals for smaller discharge volumes. These details were recently shared in the Rajya Sabha by Kirti Vardhan Singh.
CETPs and Industrial Clusters Drive Large-Scale Projects
In addition to individual units, several Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) serving industrial clusters have also received approvals. For instance, the Vapi Green Environment Ltd facility has been permitted to discharge 70 MLD through a 29.68-km marine pipeline. Likewise, the Sarigam CETP expansion in Valsad allows 25 MLD of treated effluent to be released into the sea.
Furthermore, in the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) at Dahej, a project in the SEZ-II area has been cleared to discharge about 90 MLD via a 4.3-km offshore pipeline. Another major project near Porbandar enables the release of 80 MLD of treated effluents collected from CETPs in Jetpur, Bhatgam, and Manpur–Derdi through a 5.6-km deep-sea pipeline.
Andhra Pradesh Projects Focus on Pharma Sector
Meanwhile, a smaller number of projects have been approved along the Andhra Pradesh coast, primarily linked to pharmaceutical manufacturing. Five pharma units across Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, and Kakinada have received clearances to discharge treated effluents into the sea.
These include Divi’s Laboratories, Lyfius Pharma, Auroactive Pharma, and Shreas Industries. Together, these projects account for approximately 13.5 MLD of treated wastewater discharge through pipelines spanning around 41 km.
Regulatory Oversight and Environmental Safeguards
Importantly, authorities in both Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have reported no violations or non-compliance cases related to these projects so far. According to the environment ministry, all marine discharge projects must undergo rigorous marine environmental impact assessments, including biodiversity monitoring and baseline ecological studies. Additionally, compliance with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms is strictly monitored by State Coastal Zone Management Authorities.
Balancing Industrial Growth and Environmental Responsibility
Overall, these approvals highlight the increasing adoption of regulated marine outfall systems to manage industrial wastewater. At the same time, they underscore the importance of maintaining strict environmental safeguards to protect marine ecosystems.
As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, as India continues to expand its industrial base, such projects demonstrate the need to balance economic growth with sustainable environmental practices, ensuring long-term ecological and regulatory compliance.
