NGT directs CPCB to shut down polluting industries within 3 months

New Delhi, July 17 (KNN) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to shut down all the polluting industries in ‘critically polluted’ and ‘severely polluted’ areas within three months.

The State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in 2009-10, industrial clusters were notified as Polluted Industrial Areas and ranked as ‘critically polluted areas’, ‘severely polluted areas’ and ‘other polluted areas’, depending on their respective Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index scores, on the basis of a study carried out by CPCB.

Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the CPCB to assess, in coordination with the SPCBs, the quantum of compensation to be recovered from polluting units for the last five years, taking into account the cost of restoration and the cost of damage to public health and environment and the deterrence element.

The bench said that the scale of deterrence may be related to the period and the frequency of defaults. Such other factors as may be found relevant may also be taken into account.

It added that no further industrial activities or expansion will be allowed with regard to ‘red’ and ‘orange’ category units till the said areas are brought within the prescribed parameters, or till the carrying capacity of area is assessed and new units or expansion is found viable having regard to the carrying capacity of the area and environmental norms.

Seeking a compliance report by the CPCB after three months by e-mail, the NGT posted the matter for hearing on November 5. (KNN/ CM)