DHAKA: Authorities in northern India have ordered the closure of a Coca-Cola bottling plant at the centre of protests that it is extracting too much groundwater.

An official said Wednesday, reports The Straits Times.

An anti-pollution official said the Mehdiganj plant in Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh had breached the conditions of its operating licence, prompting the order closure earler this month.

‘The plant is closed following our orders,’ Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board member secretary JS Yadav told media.

‘They have also been asked to take suitable measures to recharge the depleting groundwater level by twice the amount they have extracted. Also, the effluents released by the plant contain pollutants beyond the permissible limits.’

BDST: 2118 HRS, JUNE 18, 2014