March 29: The Birgunj Metropolitan City has begun tightening the noose against industries polluting the Sirsiya River in the metropolis. Five industries have been fined for defying the repeated warnings from the Metropolitan City for contaminating the river. 

Each industry was fined Rs 300,000 for causing pollution. The metropolitan office swung into action after videos of people worshipping in the polluted River during the last Chhat Puja and locals expressing displeasure over it went viral on social media.

The Metropolitan City took action against the Global Leather Industry, Arnika Processing Industry, Shree Siddi Textiles, Moriam Leather Industry at ward no 21 and Durga Pulp and Paper in ward no 32. 

All these industries are situated at Birgunj-Pathalaiya Industrial Corridor. Letters have been sent to these industries to submit the penalty within a week, said Laxmi Prasad Poudel, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Metropolitan City. 

Five industries were penalized as per the Protection of Environment and Natural Resource Act-2077 BS. Birgunj Mayor Rajesh Man Singh dubbed the Sirsiya River as a 'lifeline' to Birgunj city and warned that the city would continue keeping an eye over those industries and people trying to sully the purity of the river. 

The river contamination has adversely affected people from over a dozen villages such as Simara, Ramauli in Bara district, Sirsiya, Tajpur, Ramgadhawa in Parsa district, Ramban, Ashokbatika, Bindabasini among others in Birgunj Metropolitan City.