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

The tribunal directed that the report signed by the two members of the joint committee be filed within four weeks.

3 min readShimlaUpdated: Dec 18, 2025 09:24 PM IST

The case has been filed by Kashmir Singh of village Khater, Barmana, who had approached the NGT on September 23, 2024, alleging air pollution due to the operation of the cement plant. (Source: (File)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has granted four weeks to a joint committee to submit its report in a matter concerning alleged air pollution caused by a plant of ACC Cement at Barmana in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. The order was passed on Wednesday by a Bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (judicial member) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (expert member).

The case has been filed by Kashmir Singh of village Khater, Barmana, who had approached the NGT on September 23, 2024, alleging air pollution due to the operation of the cement plant. The respondents include the state of Himachal Pradesh, the environment department, and others.

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.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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