Bhubaneswar: The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC)-run Panthanivas at Kalpana Square was closed down by the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) Sunday after the hotel failed to comply with the pollution norms.
The closure took the total number of private hotels already shuttered down by the Board to seven after they ignored the notices to obtain ‘‘consent to operate’’ certificate from the Board.
“None of the hotels had either sought clearance from the Board after having been in operation or before starting their operation in the last 15 years,” said Haribandhu Panigrahi, regional officer of the OSPCB.
The Board had launched a campaign against the hotels following an order from the National Green Tribunal (Kolkata) that asked the state’s pollution board to close down hotels violating norms.
According to section 25 and 26 of the Water Act, the hotels should have facilities for water discharge, garbage disposal and fire-fighting equipment among other criteria before starting its operations.
Of the 83 identified hotels in Bhubaneswar, only 13 have valid ‘‘consent to operate’’ certificate while 40 applications are under process, Panigrahi said.
OTDC managing director Nitin Bhanudas Jawale said, he would find out why consent has not been obtained. Panthanivas is tourism department’s facility to provide accommodation and food to tourists at reasonable price.PNN
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