A joint committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has identified serious environmental violations at the ACC Cement plant (now owned by Adani Cements) in Barmana, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. The findings were detailed in a report submitted to the NGT on January 24.
Key Findings of the Report
The committee, led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Abhishek Garg, highlighted multiple shortcomings in pollution control measures mandated by the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB).
The investigation was prompted by a complaint from local resident Kashmir Singh Thakur, who alleged that the plant’s dust control equipment was malfunctioning, leading to the accumulation of dust particles on roads and in nearby areas, adversely affecting public health and the environment.
Local residents have also raised concerns over fugitive emissions from the cement plant, citing ongoing harm to the ecology.
The committee’s report identified three major areas of concern:
- Failure to implement a mandatory three-layer tree plantation around the plant’s boundary.
- Deficiencies in the truck tyre washing system, which should prevent dust from spreading.
- Inadequate treatment of recycled water, including the failure to remove oil and grease.
Tribunal Action & Previous Violations
The NGT has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for February 25, 2025, where it will review the committee’s findings and assess ongoing compliance issues.
Given the repeated complaints and violations, the tribunal is expected to take a stricter stance on enforcing environmental compliance at the plant.
Notably, the HPPCB had imposed a fine of RS 1.29 crore on the cement plant in April 2022 for breaching air quality standards and failing to properly treat discharged water.
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