NGT Slaps Rs 50 lakh Fine On ACC Plant For Causing Pollution

14 December, Mandi

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the ACC plant Barmana, located in the adjoining district of Bilaspur, for causing air and dust pollution and violating the directions of the Tribunal given on March 6 and March 17, 2012.

The NGT bench, headed by Justice Swatantra Kumar and comprising Justice Nambir and specialist members Dr D K Agarawal and A R Yussaf, held the ACC plant management guilty of causing dust and noise pollution as also flouting the NGT directions given in 2012 and imposed a fine of Rs 50 laks. Of the fine amount of Rs 50 lakhs, Rs 20 lakh each will go to the Central Pollution Board and Himacahl Pradesh Pollution Board and Rs 10 lakh to the Regional Hospital Bilaspur for the treatment of persons suffering from lung and other diseases caused by the dust pollution.

The NGT took a serious note of blatantly ignoring the directions of the Tribunal given three years ago. The stone crusher was also not covered to prevent dust pollution as had been directed.

The NGT has further warned the plant management to keep the premises of the plant neat and clean to ensure that no dust or noise pollutions is caused and create health hazards to the local people of the area. It has also been directed that the cement trucks should be fully covered to avoid emission of dust.

Besides this the NGT has constituted a committee comprising member of Central Pollution Board, State Pollution Board and a senior doctor of state nominated by Director Health Services.

Team would study all aspects of pollution and suggest ways and means to check it by installing the latest world class devices to check pollution. The PIL was filed by Sarva Shikshit Berozgar Sanghrash Samiti.