Chemical major Atul Ltd has acknowledged an accidental leak in its ageing effluent discharge pipeline, resulting in the release of treated effluent into the estuarine zone of the Par river for a short period. The company has suspended discharge through the affected pipeline and initiated repairs.

 

The disclosure comes amid the circulation of videos and information about effluent discharge from the company's site, which Atul has described as incorrect.

 

In a statement, the company said the damage occurred at a point approximately 1 km from its effluent treatment plant, within the estuary. The release continued until the damage was detected, it said, adding that the treated effluent met the prescribed standards of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).

 

Atul said it acted immediately after discovering the damage, isolating the affected section and voluntarily suspending discharge through the pipeline as a precautionary measure.

 

Repairs are now underway, with the company engaging a competent agency to carry out the work at the earliest. Discharge through the damaged pipeline will remain suspended until repairs are completed and an inspection confirms that it is safe to operate.

 

The incident occurred as Atul was in the process of replacing its ageing discharge infrastructure. The company uses an approximately 4-km-long pipeline, laid entirely within the estuary, to discharge treated effluent.

 

Citing the age of the existing pipeline and the need to mitigate potential environmental risks, Atul said it had proactively initiated the installation of a new pipeline. The required approvals have been obtained from the relevant authorities, and the project is at an advanced stage.