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Bosch’s Adugodi plant shuts over pollution notice

Auto component major Bosch temporarily suspended operations at its Adugodi unit on Saturday in deference to a Karnataka State Pollution Control Board directive.

The unit falls in the Bellandur lake catchment area. Notorious for frothing and catching fire, the water body is now being cleaned under the watchful eye of the National Green Tribunal.

In a regulatory filing at the Bombay Stock Exchange on Saturday, Bosch said it had decided to suspend operations since the Pollution Control Board had directed all industrial units in the catchment to shut down.

3.93-cr loss a day

Bosch said the approximate loss of turnover was Rs 3.93 crore a day if supplies to customers were affected.

“The company will endeavour to take necessary measures to ensure deliveries... are not affected,” it said. Bosch said it had always upheld the highest standards of environmental protection and was confident it was following norms at all its facilities. It said it would consider all options to resume operations at the earliest.

Notice was general

Lakshman, chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, said he had issued no specific notice to Bosch India. The notice appearing in newspapers was general in nature and Bosch should read it again carefully, he told DH.

“We have said there are 488 industries located in the Bellandur lake catchment, but not all of them are polluters. Our public notice is only for those polluting the lake,” Lakshman said. The board is inspecting all units and would order closure of those polluting the lake, he added.

“If Bosch India closes down its unit voluntarily, we have no objection. We will inspect the facility,” Lakshman said. Bosch had a staff strength of 3,000 at its Adugodi unit near Diary Circle. Half of them have moved to its Bidadi unit over the past two years.

The company makes auto components, power tools and home appliances, and also provides industrial services.

Bosch has the largest development centre outside Germany in India, and operates through nine companies.