How Rs 17.3-cr compensation order is playing out

Mukesh Tandon

The prime Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Indian Oil refinery, Panipat, to deposit Rs 17.31 crore as compensation for causing air and water pollution in its surrounding Singhpura-Sithana, Bohli and Dadlana villages. Though villagers are satisfied with the NGT order, the emission of sulphur and the discharge of effluents from the refinery have affected their health. 

The big cause of air and water pollution is untreated effluents spread over around 40 acres, and the emission of sulphur by the plant at the Panipat Refinery and Petro Complex. Groundwater here is not good for health and its colour and taste have changed. Untreated effluents are destroying produce in fields while polluted air is causing breathing problem. 

Several residents of the villages surrounding the refinery complain of skin, breathing and eye problems while some families have been forced to migrate due to pollution. 

Satpal Singh, sarpanch of Singhpura-Sithana panchayat, says, “Since 2016, we had submitted several complaints regarding the pollution caused by the refinery in the area to the district administration, and other authorities and also at the CM window, but to no avail”. 

“I along with Vikram, sarpanch of Bohli village, and Deepak Rana, sarpanch of Dadlana village, approached the NGT in September 2018,” he adds. 

“Around 70 per cent residents of Singhpura-Sithana panchayat are suffering from chronic skin allergies. People are taking treatment for various diseases for the last 10 years but are not getting any relief,” says Satpal. Besides, many villagers are experiencing the breathing problem. 

The refinery emits sulphur, which pollutes the air and affects eyes badly. This is the reason that several villagers are suffering from eye diseases, he adds.

Satpal says that effluents discharged from the refinery are also affecting soil fertility. Though the underground water level in surrounding areas of the refinery is around 17 feet, it is badly contaminated.  The fertility of cattle has also been affected due to water pollution in the area, he says.  

“I am suffering from a skin allergy for the last around 10 years and taking medicines. Over 60 per cent residents of Singhpura-Sithana are suffering from skin diseases and many villagers are migrating to other villages,” says Dani Ram, another villager.

“The pollution caused by the refinery has been thrust upon us. It has harmed soil fertility due to which the produce of our agricultural land has reduced drastically. Also, we have to bear cattle loss due to pollution. Health diseases such as skin allergies, eye disorders, acidity, dental and breathing problems are common in the area,” says Khajan Chand, another villager. 

Kartar Chand, who lives on the outskirts of Singhpura-Sithana, says that his two brothers Kala Ram and Bahadur have died of asthama and now his third brother Kesar Das is also suffering from asthama and a skin allergy. 

Bijender, a resident of Bohli village, says that they do not drink water from their tubewells, as it is badly contaminated and can cause diarrhea. 

A drain of polluted water flows in the area throughout the year. During rains, it often overflows and effluents reach their fields and damage their crops, says a farmer. 

Findings of joint committee 

• Ambient air quality exceeded norms.
• Volatile organic compounds resulting in irritation in eyes and foul odour.
• Untreated effluents being discharged into green belt. 
• Illegal discharge of effluents into the Thirana drain. 
• The refinery does not meet the discharge norms and effluents exceed the prescribed limits.
• Groundwater samples collected from various locations in the vicinity of the refinery have significant values of Chemical Oxygen Demand, which clearly indicates contamination of groundwater with external sources. 

Pollution acknowledged

• The NGT pronounced the order on May 10, on the basis of the report of a joint committee comprising officials of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the Deputy Commissioner, Panipat.  
• The committee also acknowledged enormous air and water pollution in the area surrounding the refinery. 

Soil fertility affected

The pollution caused by the refinery has been thrust upon us. It has harmed soil fertility due to which the produce of our agricultural land has reduced drastically. Also, we have to bear cattle loss due to pollution. Health diseases such as skin allergies, eye disorders, acidity, dental and breathing problems are common in the area.— Khajan Chand, a villager

Submitted complaint at CM window

Since 2016, we had submitted several complaints regarding the pollution caused by the refinery to the district administration and also at the CM window, but to no avail. Around 70 per cent residents of Singhpura-Sithana panchayat are suffering from chronic skin and eye diseases. The refinery emits sulphur, which pollutes the air and affects eyes badly.— Satpal Singh, Sarpanch of Singhpura-Sithana panchayat 

People migrating to other villages

I am suffering from a skin allergy for the last around 10 years and taking medicines. Over 60 per cent residents of Singhpura-Sithana are suffering from skin diseases and many villagers are migrating to other villages.— Dani Ram, resident of Singhpura-Sithana