Ghaziabad: 12 banquet halls, hotels and malls running without NOC from pollution department

These premises includes Eros Mall in Indirapuram, Galaxy Mall in Sahibabad, Clarks Inn in Kaushambi, Shoprixx Mall and Ansal Plaza in Vaishali, Hotel Vintage Banquet in Vasundhara etc.

“Under the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), individual eateries and restaurants on the roadside-with a minimum seating capacity of 36 people- that could also be running in hospitality destinations such as hotels, banquets and malls etc or otherwise, are required to mandatorily seek and obtain an NOC/consent to Establish of the UPPCB, in addition to a host of other environmental authorisations,” reads the status report.

It further states, “As most of these establishments have food courts and restaurants-being in their nature of business-these dining out outlets are required to have these environmental clearances as directed by the NGT.”

In its application, the petitioner had said that being in the vicinity of national capital, hospitality industry of Ghaziabad sees a high footfall of around 40-50 lakh people a month that could be generating lots of air and water pollution and misuse of already stressed resources, such as groundwater. Hence, it becomes all the more important that business establishments strictly follow the environmental norms.

During last hearing on May 1, NGT had issued notice to UPPCB and CPCB to provide status report on the averments made in the application.