Special Feature On     

Published: April 30, 2026
Updated: April 30, 2026

CETP (Thane-Belapur) Association

Keeping Thane industrial belt clean & green

The CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) (Thane-Belapur) Association, located in the Trans- Thane Creek Industrial area, Navi Mumbai was established in 1994 to minimize and control the pollution load created due to various industrial activities, so as to maintain equilibrium between rapid Industrial growth and a cleaner environment, thus ensuring proper and sustainable development. CETP also acts as a single-point treatment facility and fir disposal of liquid effluent for industries, especially small-scale industries. The total capacity of this CETP is 27 mld (a 12 mld plant was commissioned in 1997, and an additional capacity of 15 mld was commissioned in 2006), and it is consistently running, meeting all prescribed norms. This CETP has achieved the enviable position of “one of the best-run CETPs in India”, which was acknowledged by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board with the ‘Vasundhara award’ first prize in 2015 and 2018.

TBIA took the initiative in the early 90’s to establish the CETP (Thane-Belapur) Association and it is registered under section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 as a non-profit making company. The plant has been functioning successfully in terms of uninterrupted year-round operations. While the day-to-day operations of the CETP are taken care of by qualified and experienced staff, the overall management is handled by the board of directors, comprising representatives from user Industries (SSI /MSI/LSI) who provide honorary services with technical and managerial expertise, ensuring that the CETP is managed professionally. The board of this CETP has the best technocrats, engineers and industry professionals. The board also constitutes sub-committees to resolve technical, financial and administrative issues. The talents and capabilities of these professionals are being utilized to ensure the CETP is well-integrated with industries and runs efficiently.

PIONEER MODEL

Points out SR Iyer, Chairman, CETP, “We are proud that setting up the CETP in the chemicalindustrial cluster has been a boon for the environment in the area and facilitates the growth and expansion of industries. The CETP model has been adopted in all industrial belts of Maharashtra. Our CETP, established in 1997 with a total membership of 2,244, comprises associate members — 1,852, SSI user members — 345 and MSI/LSI user members — 47. As of 2025, the total number of members has increased to 3,588, comprising associate members — 2,525, SSI user members 868, and MSI/LSI user members 195. This shows significant growth in membership since the establishment of the CETP.”

The combined effluents received from SSI, MSI & LSI units at the inlet of CETP are properly and fully treated and discharged through the disposal line, meeting all the prescribed discharge norms laid down by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. Referring to the achievements of the CETP, Mr Iyer says, “As part of our ongoing improvements and upgradation, our CETP regularly explores avenues to introduce the latest advanced technologies/automation of the existing plant for more efficient treatment processes that will tackle effluent streams of high organic load.”

To handle any emergency breakdown issues related to the main equipment such as clarifier and clarifloculator at 12 mld and 15 mld, the CETP has constructed a stand-by clarifier cum clariflloculator tank of 1,600 cu m capacity, so that the CETP can run uninterrupted throughout the year. To avoid overflow at the upstream chambers of the MIDC area during the monsoon season, the CETP has constructed a 500 cu m capacity additional inlet effluent collection tank, and now for more capacity CETP has started repairing the old MIDC collection sump.

UPGRADING WORK

Taking into consideration the effluent quantity and quality over the past few years, the CETP decided to go with upgradation on a larger scale and has submitted the detailed project report (DPR) on rehabilitation and augmentation of the existing 12 mld and 15 mld (total of 27 mld).

1) This CETP has scientifically improved overall sludge management by installing state-of-the-art and also a new, energy-efficient multiple screw press at the 15 mld and 12 mld plant in 2024-2025.

2) The CETP constructed an additional sludge drying bed at its plot P-18 to meet the demand for more drying space. The CETP has also amended the MPCB consent accordingly.

3) As a precautionary measure, to control the odour of the industrial effluents coming to the CETP, a two-stage scrubbing system of 5,000 cfm capacity is installed at the effluent receiving area.

4) The CETP installed a 10 kl pilot treatment plant as a demonstration plant for member-industries. CETP is also carrying out pilot plant studies in this 10 kl plant for various low-level pollutants.

5) The CETP supports clean, green energy and has installed a rooftop solar power system of 64.8 kwp capacity at plot P-60.

6) The CETP has decided to proceed with the solar project under the short-term open access policy for both plots, P-18 and P-60. The work is nearing completion and by April 2026, the CETP will be able to receive solar power from its generator.

REGULAR CHECKS

According Mr Iyer, in order to upgrade and meet the continuous monitoring of the CETP’s performance, the CETP is the first to install a real-time online effluent monitoring system to upload online data (24/7) on servers at MPCB and CPCB. The CETP continues to emphasize the development of its employees, providing opportunities to acquire/upgrade skills and ensure positive results in all the company functions.

Social Responsibilities:

Since its inception, the CETP (Thane Belapur) Association has been actively involved in social activities such as helping various institutes/colleges with projects, in-plant training to students, improving awareness of the environment among students, professionals and the general public, and extending help/support to other CETPs in resolving their operational problems. CETP Thane-Belapur conducts a programme to educate school/college students and ETP operators of industries and CETPs. Every year, a large number of students from various academic institutes visit the CETP, and many of them complete their in-plant training from the CETP. Trained students, based on their knowledge and performance, are offered employment on a requirement basis.

GREEN COVER

The CETP (Thane-Belapur) Association resorted to dense afforestation at plot P-18, which is towards the ThaneBelapur highway side, and this was completed in June 2024. As a part of the aim to make the TTC Industrial area green, clean and pollution-free every year, the CETP (ThaneBelapur) Association, in coordination with MPCB and MIDC, continues to vigorously conduct tree plantation drives within the CETP premises and in the industrial area. As part of the state government’s mass tree plantation drive, the CETP has planted 20,000 trees in 2016 as well as in 2017 at the forest land allocated at the Kalyan and Dombivli area.

In conclusion, the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (Thane-Belapur) Association remains committed to maintaining high environmental standards while supporting sustainable industrial growth in the Trans Thane Creek (TTC) Industrial Area. Through regular technical upgradation, efficient operations, responsible sludge management, renewable energy initiatives, and strict compliance with regulatory norms, the CETP has successfully established itself as a reliable and professionally managed facility. Asserts Mr Iyer, “With the active support of memberindustries, CETP will continue to strengthen its role in pollution control, environmental protection and sustainable development.”