Also Asks PCB If All Units Are Working In Conformity With Norms
Srinagar, April 2 (GNS): Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday asked Pollution Control Board to give time limit within which Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) is proposed to be made operational in Rangreth industrial area.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of a bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul also directed the PCB to indicate as to whether the industrial units existing in the area are being run in confirmation with the norms laid down by it.
“The grievance in this PIL is by the inhabitants of the Hill View Colony Old Air Field Road, Wanabal Rangreth Yayil, Gagoo Villages. They allege that on account of the establishment of an industrial area they are facing health hazards due to discharge of effluents from the industrial units as there is no proper arrangement for treatment of the waste and effluents,” the court said.
The Pollution Control Board in its compliance report stated that according to the survey report about 150 industrial units exist in the area, three units are in Red category, 53 units in Orange category, 64 units in Green category and 22 units in White category.
The PCB stated that a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) is proposed to be established for the primary treatment of the effluents and the waste water discharged by these industries.
“The civil work for the construction of the plant has been completed by the SIDCO but the mechanical part is yet to be done,” the PCB said as per GNS correspondent.
Ms. Asifa Padroo, counsel appearing for the PCB, the court said is directed to file further affidavit, indicating the time limit within which the plant is proposed to be made operational and to indicate as to whether the industrial units existing in the area are being run in confirmation with the norms laid down by the Pollution Control Board.
“She may also inform as to when the said industrial unit was established. The Pollution Control board may also undertake a fresh exercise to reappraise that the industrial units are in consonance with the parameters laid down by the PCB.”
The court also directed Moomin Khan, counsel appearing for the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, to file an affidavit of the senior officer specifically stating as to whether the industrial area was established first or the Colony. “He is also directed to inform whether the Colony has been established in accordance with the Master Plan and after due sanction of the lay out and whether it is an unauthorized Colony or is one which has been approved by the Municipal Corporation or the Srinagar Development Authority.” (GNS)
