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Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Indian Express
NGT halts petrol pump in Haryana college, orders review of CPCB guidelines
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Monday stopped the establishment of a petrol pump within the premises of Hindu Girls College and School at Jagadhri in Haryana's Yamuna Nagar district, citing violations of environmental guidelines. The ruling, delivered by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, judicial member; and Dr Afroz Ahmad, expert member, also mandates a review of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms for setting up fuel stations to cover sensitive locations such as colleges. The case began when Harvinder Singh, a resident of Yamuna Nagar, filed an application against the Haryana government, Hindu Girls College, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and others in 2023. Singh challenged the approval granted by the district administration and IOCL for a petrol pump proposed by Pushpesh Passi on land leased from the college. He argued that the outlet's location, within 5–10 metres of the college and school buildings, violated CPCB guidelines of January 7, 2020, which require a minimum distance of 50 metres from schools, hospitals, and residential areas, or 30 metres with additional safety measures prescribed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The tribunal found that the proposed retail outlet, on a 66 ft x 66 ft plot within the college campus, did not meet CPCB siting criteria. A joint committee inspection on June 28, 2023, showed the outlet was just 11.3 metres from the college auditorium, far short of the required distance. The committee's report, submitted to the Yamuna Nagar district magistrate, confirmed non-compliance, prompting NGT intervention. Key findings and orders The tribunal stressed that CPCB guidelines are meant to safeguard public health and safety, especially in sensitive areas. It rejected the respondents' argument, including IOCL and Passi, that colleges are excluded from the term 'schools' in the guidelines. 'Keeping in mind the background and object of framing of the CPCB Guidelines dated 07.01.2020, the expression 'school' cannot be read within confines of its narrow meaning and has to be given wider interpretation… to include 'college',' the bench observed. It further held that excluding colleges on the ground that students are above 18 'does not appear… to be sound.' The tribunal also criticised the college management for leasing land for commercial use. 'The facts pleaded by respondent no. 3 regarding vacant, non-usable land of the college… raise serious doubts regarding the bonafides, competence, [and] efficiency of the Members of the Managing Committee,' the order said. It directed the Haryana government to investigate possible mismanagement by the Hindu Girls College and School management. Additionally, the NGT directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) and the CPCB to review the 2020 guidelines within six months, stating they should be illustrative rather than exhaustive to account for other sensitive locations. 'The expressions 'schools, hospital (10 beds and above) and residential area designated as per local laws'… purport to be exhaustive whereas [they] ought to be illustrative conferring some discretion,' the bench noted. The ruling sets a precedent for interpreting 'schools' to include colleges in environmental regulations, potentially affecting future fuel station approvals near educational institutions. The tribunal reiterated that development must align with environmental safety, noting that 'public interest and the right to a clean environment… cannot be denied and has to be protected and implemented in the fullest measure by all instrumentalities of the State as well as the project proponents'.
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Pollution at Powai Lake: NGT orders setting up of panel for remedial measures
Amid concerns over the deteriorating state of Powai Lake, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the constitution of a joint committee to inspect the lake within two weeks and submit a report laying out remedial action to control pollution levels at the lake. The committee will comprise members of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Maharashtra State Wetland Authority (MSWA), The order, uploaded on Friday, took cognisance of an application filed by Rakesh Bakshi, a member of DK Flag Foundation, who flagged that nearly 80 per cent of the lake's surface is engulfed by invasive water hyacinths, rapidly depleting oxygen levels and endangering aquatic life, including its crocodile population. Hearing the application on July 10, the NGT bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmad found prima facie substantial questions relating to environment, under the enactments specified in Schedule-I of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. Pointing to the environmental concerns flagged, the NGT has called for the formation of a joint committee comprising officials of the CPCB, MPCB and the MSWA to conduct a joint site visit within two weeks and verify the grievances. The MPCB has been made the nodal agency for coordination in the committee, who have been directed to submit a report outlining the remedial measures. The report is expected to be submitted before the NGT's Western Zone Bench at Pune within one month. Meanwhile, with the application raising concerns over neglect by the the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the NGT has also issued notices to BMC, MPCB, MSWA and the state government, directing them to submit a response by September detailing remedial measures and causes for neglect of the water body. Earlier this month, the BMC floated a Rs 71 crore tender to set up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the lake to treat the sewage water. According to civic officials, nearly 18 million litres (MLD) of sewage water flows into the lake. Of the total 18 MLD, nearly eight million litres of sewage is proposed to be treated at the STP treatment plant, before being discharged back to the lake. Meanwhile, to improve the water quality, the remaining eight million litre waste waste will be diverted to the STP in Bhandup while the remaining two million litre water will be diverted for treatment to the STP near Mithi River. The civic plan came along the heels of a campaign launched by the civic-appointed Advanced Locality Management committee and NatConnect Foundation. 'Powai Lake is the victim of a long neglect by officials and elected representatives. While the BMC has thankfully stepped in now, the process of executing the work of diverting the sewer and setting the treatment plants must be transparent and time-bound,' said B N Kumar, director of the environment watchdog group, NatConnect Foundation.
Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Like giving Louis Vuitton to the starving': NGT slams DPCC for spending green fund on ads
Even as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) collected around Rs 130.53 crore as the Environment Compensation (EC) fund between April 2015 and June 30 this year, the regulatory body has spent only Rs 59.39 crore so far. While there was no expenditure on air pollution monitoring in 2024–25, a total amount of Rs 8.2 crore was spent on 'advertising and printing' during the period. 'How is an advertisement helpful for the environment?' the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked the DPCC Thursday as it analysed the submissions and rapped the regulatory authority over its spending pattern. Drawing an analogy, the bench constituted by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr Afroz Ahmad made another sharp remark as it said the expenditure on ads is like 'giving Louis Vuitton vouchers to a starving person' — a reference to cosmetic and misdirected use of funds while the core problem persists. Invoking the principle of inter-generational equity, the bench said the misuse of EC funds undermines long-term ecological justice. According to the data submitted by the DPCC in the green court, it registered a steep rise in expenditure under the category — 'honorarium for oversight committee or technical consultants' (Rs 5.7 crore) in 2024-25, a jump from Rs 0.2 crore in the previous year. Last year, DPCC had spent Rs 15.09 lakh on air pollution monitoring and Rs 3.6 crore on 'advertising and printing'. In a marked exception, while no expenditure was incurred for the rejuvenation of water bodies from 2015 to 2023-24, the year 2024-25 saw a spending of Rs 19.62 crore — the highest in all categories. Other areas where EC funds, collected from violators of environmental laws, are generally used are research and study projects, procurement of instruments for labs, installing recycling units in government schools, and setting up noise monitoring stations, among others. The green court was hearing a plea filed in 2022 on air pollution caused by a hot mix plant in West Delhi's Najafgarh, and had asked the DPCC to provide details of the EC funds. The NGT also sought the details of the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for the utilisation of such funds in a December 2023 order. While DPCC submitted a SOP on June 3 for timely EC recovery and utilisation, the Tribunal, remaining unconvinced, noted a serious gap between policy and implementation. Even as the DPCC counsel cited awareness under Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines as justification on Thursday, the Tribunal appeared dissatisfied and countered that 'the purpose of EC is twofold: to deter potential violators… and to remediate actual environmental damage' — neither of which is achieved through disproportionate spending on publicity. The NGT said the pattern emerging in multiple cases showed the EC is often not realised or, even when collected, remains unutilised for extended periods, causing irreversible environmental damage. The NGT has asked its Registry 'to list all pending cases involving EC fund utilisation' before the bench before the next hearing in August. Meanwhile, the DPCC stated in its submission that it issued the SOP 'to streamline the procedure for imposition or recovery, or realisation of EC'. Counsel for the DPCC and Secretary, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) will have to furnish responses too.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sewage flows into green belt, NGT fines Jal Board, Loni civic body Rs 24 crore
Ghaziabad: The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs 21.5 crore on UP Jal Board and Rs 2.5 crore on Loni nagar palika parishad as environmental compensation under the Water Act, 1974, for their failure to check sewage discharge on a green belt, which has polluted both the environment and underground water. The tribunal has also issued directives for setting up a joint committee comprising UPPCB, Ghaziabad DM, CPCB and a representative of the environment ministry to prepare an environment rejuvenation plan and utilise the compensation realised from violators for remediation and restoration of the damaged green belt within three months. The tribunal bench, comprising judicial members justices Sudhir Agrawal and Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad, issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by Hari Om Gupta on behalf of residents of Ansal East End in Loni's Sector C-1. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The petitioner had accused the civic agencies of dumping hazardous municipal waste and sewage in the green belt of the trans-Delhi Signature City area between 2020 and 2024. In its verdict, pronounced Monday, the NGT observed that the government agencies continued to dump wastewater on the area's greenbelt. It held Loni nagar palika parishad, Jal Nigam, NHAI, and its contractors guilty of violating the provisions of Section 24 of the Water Act, 1974. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 잦은 무릎통증.. 수술없이 / 단 1회 주사 / 당일복귀 가능하다?? 무릎치료 30년 - 장덕한방병원 서초본원(서울,강남) 더 알아보기 Undo It noted that areas under Loni Nagar Palika Parishad generate 108 MLD of solid waste on average, but had only one STP with a capacity to treat 30 MLD. It said UP Jal Nigam under the UPWSS Act, 1975, was responsible for treating solid waste generated in the area. The tribunal gave the nagar palika parishad, UP urban development department and Jal Nigam one year to construct a 108MLD STP, lay a sewer network and upgrade the existing 30 MLD STP to meet the prescribed standards. It imposed a Rs 2.5 crore fine in environmental compensation on the nagar palika parishad for the violation period from July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2024, and asked UPCCB to compute the costs for the subsequent period. It directed UPPCB to also compute the EC for Jal Board for the subsequent period after imposing a penalty of Rs 21.5 crore for violation from Jan 20, 2024, to Nov 13, 2024. The tribunal said the environment rejuvenation plan must be executed within six months of the fines being recovered, and a compliance report submitted within the next 30 days.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Muktsar cracker factory blast: NGT seeks response from Central, Punjab pollution boards, DC
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought replies from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and others regarding an explosion in an illegal cracker factory at Singhewala village in Muktsar district, which left five people dead and 29 injured on May 30. The NGT has posting the hearing on August 4. (HT Photo) In an order dated June 5, a bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, the green body took a suo motu note of a news report published in HT on May 31 regarding the incident at the unauthorised cracker unit. Quoting an HT report, the NGT order stated: 'According to the news item, it is alleged that the factory operator managed to buy a huge volume of explosives and other material used in producing firecrackers without permission, and that even after 10 hours of the explosion, the smell of potash emanated from the debris.' The bench said that the incident attracted provisions of the Public Liability Insurance Act, the Environment (Protection) Act, Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act and Explosives Rules. The tribunal impleaded as parties or respondents the CPCB, PPCB, the Chandigarh regional office of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change and the Muktsar deputy commissioner. 'Let a notice be issued to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing,' the tribunal said, posting the hearing on August 4.
