Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered that a brick manufacturing unit and a stone crusher in Assam’s Nalbari district remain closed until they fulfil statutory requirements and follow environmental guidelines.
The tribunal’s Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata, comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh, issued the order.
The bench said the JPIS Brick Manufacturing Unit and the PASA Stone Crusher Unit at Chengnoi cannot begin operations without obtaining every statutory permission, including a valid Consent to Operate (CTO) from the Assam State Pollution Control Board (ASPCB).
It also mandated that both projects comply with the environmental standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the ASPCB.
The case arose from complaints that the proposed brick kiln and stone crusher were being developed near the Pagladiya riverbed in breach of environmental rules.
The complaints said the projects could adversely affect the river ecosystem, biodiversity, public health and elephant movement in the area.
Reports placed before the tribunal by a joint committee, the ASPCB and the Nalbari district administration showed that both units were shut when inspections were conducted.
The bench also took note that the Consent to Establish (CTE) earlier issued to the JPIS Brick Manufacturing Unit had since been revoked by the pollution control board.
The ASPCB has been directed to assess whether the two units fulfil the prescribed location criteria, environmental standards and every condition linked to their statutory approvals. It said the board should issue or renew the Consent to Operate only after confirming that all legal and environmental conditions have been met.
The Nalbari District Magistrate has been directed to examine the objections over whether the site falls within an elephant corridor and take a decision under the relevant legal provisions.
The tribunal also placed responsibility on the Nalbari District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police to prevent the two units from operating unless they obtain all mandatory no-objection certificates, a valid Consent to Operate and meet every environmental requirement.