By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 2, 2016 : The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) on Tuesday served closure notice to total 30 hotels in the state not having ‘consent to operate’ clearance from the state pollution watchdog.

The hotels slapped with closure notice include 20 hotels in Puri, five in Balasore and another five in Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts, sources said.

The ‘consent to operate’ clearance is granted by the OSPCB after verification of sanitation standards maintained by the concerned hotels.

The OSPCB has hinted at taking stringent action against these hotels which have been blatantly flouting pollution norms fixed by the watchdog.

A senior OSPCB official said that the Board has sought assistance of the district administration and the police to ensure closure of these hotels.

Earlier on July 24, the OSPCB had issued closure notice to 10 hotels operating along the Puri sea coast following orders from National Green tribunal (NGT).

These hotels were accused of operating without setting up their own water treatment plant and discharging the waste water into the sea. However, these hotels previously had obtained a stay order from the Orissa High Court in the matter.

The OSPCB issued fresh closure notices to the hotels after completion of the stay period on Friday to effect action within two days.