Tribunal orders inspection around Panipat refinery

New Delhi, November 25

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken note of a plea alleging air pollution by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited’’s Panipat refinery and formed a committee to look into the issue.

A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel constituted a team comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board, Haryana State Pollution Control Board and Panipat Deputy Commissioner, asking them to visit the site and furnish an action taken report.

“The team may monitor ambient air and start monitoring at various locations in the vicinity, besides taking water samples in the area. The report may be furnished within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order by e-mail at ngt.filing@gmail.com. The nodal agency will be the Haryana State Pollution Control Board,” the Bench said.

Proceedings in the matter were initiated on receipt of a letter by Satpal Singh, sarpanch of Singhpura Sithna in Panipat, alleging air and water pollution by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s Panipat refinery around Bohli Dadlana and Singhpura Sithana villages.

He alleged that air pollution by the refinery had caused the spread of diseases, affecting a large number of people and analysers to measure carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide were not functional since 2010.

“The refinery has been polluting water by discharging effluents into the forest, affecting the quality of water in the area,” the plea said. — PTI