HC issues notices to govt, cement plants over pollution in Khrew

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 26

Acting on public interest litigation seeking directions for controlling and preventing pollution caused by the existing cement plants in the Khrew area on Srinagar outskirts, the J&K High Court today issued notices to the J&K Government, State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and private respondents, including the seven existing cements plants in the area.

While issuing notices, the court directed the respondents to file their response to the PIL within a week.

In the PIL filed by Khrew residents through their counsel M Ashraf Wani, the High Court was requested to direct the government to stop commissioning of fresh cement plants in the area and also close down the cement plants which do not adhere to the existing pollution control norms.

“The petitioners are residents of Mantaki and Seerbagh colony of Khrew. The petitioners are residing in the area which is under huge burden of industrial pollution caused by the cement plants existing in the area,” Wani submitted while pleading the PIL before a Division Bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice NN Paul Vasanthakumar.

Referring to the averments made in the PIL by the villagers, Wani submitted that the cement plants did not adhere to the norms. “The combined operation of cement manufacturing is responsible for cause of air and water pollution in the area. And the pollution as such caused has resulted in great ecological imbalance,” Wani submitted.

“The carrying capacity of the air of SPM (Suspended particulate Matter) has crossed the threshold point, resulting in great threat to life besides the flora and fauna in the area,” Wani submitted before the Bench, adding that the seven existing cement plants operational in the Khrew area have caused “colossal damage to environment and ecology” and therefore, were “harmful” to public health.

After hearing the submissions made by the counsel, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice NN Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Thashi Rabstan issued notices to the J&K Government through Chief Secretary; Divisional Commissiner, Kashmir; Chairman State Pollution Control Board; Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama; and the other officials and private respondents, including the management of seven existing cement plants in the Khrew area directing them to file response to the within a week.

The private respondents who had been issued notices in the PIL include Green Land Cements Pvt Ltd, JK Cements Limited, TCI Max Cements Pvt Ltd, Cemtac Cements Pvt Ltd, Dawar Cements Pvt Limited, Itifaq Cements Pvt Ltd and Mehboob Cements Pvt Ltd.

In the PIL, it has also been demanded that the management of the existing cement plants in the area be directed to pay compensation to the people for causing pollution and also told to adhere to the pollution control norms.

Stating that the compensation paid would be utilised for repairing the loss caused to the environment under the principles of the Polluters Pay Principle and Corporate Social Responsibility, it was further prayed that the cement plants which violated the pollution control norms should be closed down.