NGT Issues Notice to Odisha Officials Over Environmental Breaches
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Synopsis
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Odisha government and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board regarding allegations of environmental pollution by a stainless steel manufacturing company. The tribunal has requested replies within four weeks and formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the claims.
Key Takeaways
- NGT issues notice to Odisha officials over pollution allegations.
- Petition filed by residents of Dhenkanal and Angul districts.
- Fact-finding committee established with senior scientists.
- Steel plant accused of violating environmental regulations.
- Company allegedly discharging untreated water and solid waste.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 11 (NationPress) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has served a notice to the Odisha government, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), and other involved parties, requesting a response regarding claims of environmental degradation against a private firm that manufactures various stainless steel products.
The NGT issued the directive during the consideration of a petition lodged by Harihar Samal from Dhenkanal district and Rajib Gopal Swain from Angul district.
The authorities are required to provide their responses within four weeks following the receipt of the notice.
Additionally, the tribunal has established a fact-finding Committee comprised of senior scientists from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).
The District Collector of Dhenkanal or a representative of equal rank, not below that of an Additional District Magistrate, will also be included in the committee.
The petitioners have claimed that the manufacturing facility located in Dhenkanal is allegedly causing air pollution and discharging untreated water into the Kisindah Nallah, breaching the Consent to Operate Conditions and CPCB guidelines.
It is noteworthy that the steel plant reportedly received the Consent to Operate certificate from the State Pollution Control Board on March 31, 2023. Allegations suggest that the facility is failing to collect and treat wastewater appropriately and is releasing wastewater directly into the Kisindah Nallah. Furthermore, it is accused of improperly disposing of solid waste outside its premises and along roads used by the villagers of Kurunti.
“The facility has not activated the online monitoring system for Stack Emission and Waste Water Discharge to the centralized server of OSPCB and CPCB. Additionally, it has not secured authorization under the Hazardous Waste Management and Handling Rules,” states the petition.
The petitioner's legal representative, Sankar Pani, emphasized on Monday that the company also unlawfully acquired forest land, contravening directives of the VAN (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 2023.
He further noted that the unit has established only two Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS) instead of the required four, with neither of the installed AAQMS being operational. The company is also accused of illegally extracting water from Kisindha Nullah without the necessary permissions from relevant authorities.
