Minister Khandre orders closure of three industries

Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Bidar district in-charge Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has directed the district administration to immediately shut down three industries in the Humnabad Industrial Area for allegedly discharging chemical waste into the Guruganga and Manjra rivers.

Khandre has instructed the Bidar Deputy Commissioner to issue closure orders against 6H Industries, Satyadeepth K. Industries and Himalaya Industries, with immediate effect, and submit a compliance report to his office within 24 hours.

According to the minister, residents have been protesting against the discharge of toxic industrial waste into a stream at Maniknagar and subsequently into the Guruganga and Manjra rivers. The pollution has allegedly caused foul odour in the water and created difficulties for people living in the surrounding areas. Residents have also raised concerns over the impact of the polluted water on human beings and livestock.

The public has launched the ‘Save Guruganga’ campaign, organising rallies, meetings, protests and awareness programmes demanding immediate action against industries allegedly responsible for the pollution. Khandre said the polluted stream eventually joins the backwaters of the Karanja reservoir, raising serious concerns about contamination of drinking water sources and public health.

In view of the situation, he said urgent action was necessary to protect water sources and community health. The district administration has been asked to invoke Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, relating to preventive action against public nuisance, wherever applicable.

Khandre recalled that, following media reports and complaints from residents, he had already directed the district administration on August 5, 2026, to conduct water quality tests, take strict action against industries found discharging waste and submit a report on the steps taken within 48 hours.

He also pointed out that the issue had come to his attention earlier when he was serving as Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister. Following complaints from the public, an investigation had been ordered and the district administration had directed the Humnabad Tahsildar on July 29, 2024, to seal nine industries allegedly causing pollution.

However, the industries subsequently resumed operations and industrial waste has once again allegedly been entering nearby water sources, Khandre said.

The minister stressed that protecting drinking water sources, the environment and public health must be given the highest priority. He directed the district administration to take action against industries found discharging untreated or hazardous waste into streams and rivers without any further delay.