Its proximity to the Capital might have actually caused more damage to Ghaziabad than good. While it was busy dealing with its own pollution mess, a large part of Delhi’s unorganized small-scale waste recycling units shifted base there after Delhi government’s drive against defaulters. Result: Ghaziabad is not just one of the two most polluted cities in UP but also among the most polluted in India.

The city’s air pollution levels have violated most parameters. The biggest problem is particulate matter that is several times more than the desired level of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The Sahibabad Industrial area and Bulandshahr Industrial areas recorded an average particulate matter levels of 243.2 microgram/cum and 239.1 microgram/cum respectively in 2009. Large-scale development work, Metro construction and heavy vehicular traffic have only worsened the situation.

Officials point out that rapid development in the city violated all land use norms with many residential complexes mushrooming around industrial areas. “The city spread really fast and industries that were earlier away from the main city have now become the centre of residential clusters. We are trying to now provide CNG or liquid gas to industries that are coal based,’’ said a UP pollution control board official. The area is known for its dyeing plants, electroplating units, paper plants and waste and scrap plastic recycling sectors, many of which dump their waste just about anywhere they please. Officials say that about 300 such units have been shut down but since there are no records of the extent of activity, it is very difficult to crack down on them.

Ghaziabad’s Hindon river is now choking with the city’s filth. The city has two sewage treatment plants with a capacity of 129 million litres per day to treat its 160 mld sewage. Three STPs are being set up and another two have been proposed.