ACC Cement plant pollution case: NGT grants four weeks to joint committee to file report

According to the order, respondent number five — the joint committee — filed an additional response on December 16 stating that it could not submit its report earlier due to a delay in receiving the signed technical expert report dated December 13 as the same was received on December 16. It was also informed that an email dated December 16 was received from another panel member, Dr Narender Sharma, Scientist ‘F’ at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The tribunal directed that the report signed by the two members of the joint committee be filed within four weeks. It also allowed Sharma to submit his report or comments separately within the same time frame. The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 12, 2026.

Earlier, in its reply dated September 26, the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) informed the NGT about proposed utilisation of the environmental compensation (EC) funds in the affected area. HPSPCB Member Secretary Parveen Gupta stated that proposed works included sustainable water resource development to improve air quality and ecosystem health near the ACC plant through the Divisional Forest Officer, Bilaspur, at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. Other proposals included solid waste management infrastructure such as eight segregation sheds costing Rs 4 lakh and upgradation of root-zone treatment facilities in Nalag and Lagat villages at a combined cost of Rs 12.88 lakh. These proposals, submitted on September 24, were placed before the CPCB for consideration.

The HPSPCB also detailed that ACC Cement Ltd had deposited Rs 20 lakh each with the CPCB and the HPSPCB as environmental compensation. Subsequently, Rs 5 lakh was transferred from the HPSPCB to the CPCB, leaving Rs 15 lakh with the Board. The Board said this amount had been released to the Block Development Officer, Sadar, Bilaspur, for works identified by Gram Panchayat Barmana, including installation of solar street lights and hand pumps, which have since been completed.

ACC Cement Ltd also informed the NGT that it was sincerely complying with the recommendations of the joint committee to maintain air quality in the area.