Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding air quality of Kolkata city, West Bengal, 27/11/2018
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Subhas Datta Vs State of West Bengal & Others dated 27/11/2018 regarding the alarming adverse air quality of Kolkata City which was stated to be highly polluted during the period commencing from mid-October to February end. The principal reason for the bad ambient air quality in the city of Kolkata and Howrah was identified to be auto emission apart from road dust, construction activities, burning of municipal waste and industrial wastes including plastics, population of DG sets and industrial emissions.
Court observed that the State had failed to take any effective measures to control the source of such emission. Specific directions had also been issued for phasing out vehicles which were more than 15 years old apart from taking other measures as a step to deal with the menace. National Green Tribunal directs the State of West Bengal to pay a sum of Rs. 5 Crores as interim environmental compensation which shall be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board.