List pollution control steps in 20 days, stone crushers told

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, January 13

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued show-cause notices for prosecution and closure action to 188 stone-crushing units in Yamunanagar district.

The owners of the stone crushers have been asked to submit details of air pollution control measures (APCMs) along with photographic proof within 20 days from the date of issuance of notices.

The authorities of the regional office of HSPCB, Yamunanagar, started issuing notices on January 5 and this process of issuing notices continued for several days.

Sources said that the authorities of HSPCB noticed that some of the stone-crushing units were being run in violation of norms of APCMs but they issued notice to all 188 stone crushers of the district.

This action has created a panic-like situation among owners of stone crushers and an association of stone crushers termed it a step to harass this industry.

“We have consent to operate. Before renewing (issuing) consent to operate, the authorities of the regional office of HSPCB, Yamunanagar, visit every crushing unit to check whether that unit has installed APCMs or not following the guidelines laid down in the notification issued on May 11, 2016,” said Rampal Kamboj, president of Ballewala-Doiwala Stone Crushers Association.

He further said, “The present regional officer, Yamunanagar, issued renewed consent to operate to a number of stone crusher units in the past year. Why is he now issuing show-cause notices to create panic at a time when the Covid pandemic has almost ruined the stone crusher industry,” added Rampal Kamboj.

He said that notices should have been issued only to those units which were violating the norms.

According to the information available, as per the notification issued on May 11, 2016, there should be a cover shed at grinding and screening sites; a wind breaking wall of 50m length and 16 ft height; and construction and maintenance of metalled road for vehicular movement within the premises of the unit.

Besides fulfilling several other conditions, tree plantation (two rows) along the periphery of the stone crusher is required to contain dust emission.

However, Nirmal Kumar, Regional Officer of HSPCB, Yamunanagar, said that it was a routine process to issue show-cause notices to stop violation of norms of APCMs.

“Our purpose is not to create any panic. The show-cause notices have been issued just to check the violation of APCMs in the crushing units. No action will be taken against the units that will be able to submit satisfactory replies along with photographic proof,” said Nirmal Kumar.