Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Hooghly Dairy Unit Faces Closure Over Severe Water Pollution
A dairy factory in Hooghly was accused of sending very dirty wastewater into a canal.
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board tested the water and found pollution levels much higher than allowed.
The factory was fined ₹3.5 lakh.
It was also ordered to close if the problem is not fixed.
However, the closure will not happen before September 1.
The board gave the factory time to properly operate its new wastewater treatment plant.
The factory says it is trying to follow the order.
An environmental group said the fine was too small and asked that the money be used to help repair the local environment.
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board ordered Starmilk Products to shut down from September 1 unless it reduces pollution levels.
The dairy was fined ₹3.5 lakh after allegedly discharging untreated effluent into the nearby Akambari Canal.
Testing found total suspended solids at 2,680 milligrams and BOD at 3,776 milligrams, far above permitted limits.
The board deferred the closure until August 31 because milk is a perishable and essential commodity.
Starmilk said it is trying to make its newly installed effluent treatment plant functional before the deadline.
- Who
- The West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Starmilk Products (P) Ltd, and Paribesh Academy are involved.
- What
- The board fined the dairy ₹3.5 lakh and ordered its closure unless it brings effluent pollution within prescribed limits.
- When
- The closure order is scheduled to take effect on September 1, with compliance required by the end of August.
- Where
- Starmilk Products is located at Jangalpara in Pursurah, Hooghly district, and its effluent was discharged into the Akambari Canal.
- Why
- The board said the unit bypassed its effluent treatment plant and discharged untreated wastewater, causing severe water pollution.
Environmental Protection
Industry Compliance and Continuation
Closure and enforcement
Environmental Protection
The pollution board’s technical committee considered the unit a fit case for closure because it allegedly discharged untreated effluent and severely exceeded pollution limits.
Industry Compliance and Continuation
The board deferred the closure until September 1 because milk is a perishable and essential commodity, giving the company time to correct the problem.
Size of the fine
Environmental Protection
Paribesh Academy said the ₹3.5 lakh fine was too low and demanded that the money be spent on improving the local environment.
Industry Compliance and Continuation
The article reports the board’s fine and compliance requirements but does not state that the company challenged the amount.
Cause of pollution
Environmental Protection
The complaint and inspection report attributed the pollution to wastewater being discharged outside the treatment system into the Akambari Canal.
Industry Compliance and Continuation
A state-board-associated expert said many dairy units have treatment systems designed for lower production volumes and may discharge additional wastewater when market demand increases.
- Company
- Starmilk Products (P) Ltd
- Location
- Jangalpara, Pursurah, Hooghly district
- Fine
- ₹3.5 lakh
- Total suspended solids
- 2,680 milligrams recorded, against a permissible limit of 150 milligrams
- Biochemical oxygen demand
- 3,776 milligrams recorded, against a permissible limit of 100 milligrams
- Closure deadline
- September 1, unless the unit complies with the order
- Required action
- Make the newly installed effluent treatment plant fully functional and submit a compliance report by the end of August