ACC cement plant yet to implement measure to control pollution, NGT issues notice

On January 24, the joint committee headed by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Bilaspur, Abhishek Garg, submitted its findings to the tribunal highlighting three major shortcomings on the part of the cement plant. They included inadequate measures for dust emission control, lack of a three-layer tree plantation, and flaws in the installed truck-tyre washing systems within the premises. The tribunal was also informed about installation of adequate air purifications in the cement plant.

Taking up the matter on February 25, a NGT bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr Afroz Ahmad said that in view of the averments made in the original application and observations made by the joint committee, “we consider it appropriate to have a response of the respondents”
The committee, comprising SDM Garg, scientist Dr. Narender Sharma from the CPCB, and HPPCB regional officer Pawan Sharma, visited the cement plant on January 18, this year. The committee was formed following a complaint by Kashmir Thakur, a resident of Khetad village near Barmana, who alleged severe air pollution caused by the plant.

In its report, the committee had observed that the plant was directed to implement measures to control accidental discharge of pollutants, especially dust emissions during grid failures. “However, the plant had yet to implement these measures. Dust emissions were observed in areas around the clinker, ash, and cement silos, causing distress to nearby residents. The Consent to Operate mandated the plant to establish a three-layer tree plantation along its boundary to mitigate air and noise pollution, but this critical step remained unfulfilled. Furthermore, while the plant had installed a truck tyre washing system at the raw material exit, there was no mechanism to remove oil and grease from the recycled wastewater. Additionally, the plant was still in the process of installing a tyre washing system at the cement exit point to prevent dust from being carried outside the premises”.

The committee informed the tribunal that the cement plant had been shut down for annual maintenance from January 3 to February 8. When the committee visited the plant on January 18, only one kiln was operating at 40% capacity.