Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding pollution by an industry in village Gulamichak, district Patna, Bihar, 19/10/2020
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Pramod Kumar, Shambhu Kumar & Others Vs State of Bihar dated 19/10/2020. Grievance in this application is that Pionex Private Ltd. Company in village Gulamichak, district Patna is emitting toxic smoke and gases, affecting the environment and the public health in Gram Panchayat Anandpur, Musepur, Kateser, Bihar Raksha Bahini (Prakashishan Kender). The land of the area, ground water, forest and wildlife are also affected.
Report filed by a joint committee comprising of the District Magistrate, Patna and Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) on September 7, 2020 said that there was visible fugitive emission in this plant indicative of the fact that their air pollution control devices like fume extractor were not working properly. During inspection, the effluent treatment plant (ETP) was found non-operational and the area for vehicular movement and internal road was found unpaved. Plantation was done, but it was inadequate and the newly constructed galvanizing section had not obtained CTE and CTO from the BSPCB.
The report informed the NGT that though there was no ground water pollution or noticeable ill effects on the environment, yet the unit had no adequate pollution control devices.
The SPCB served upon the unit a show cause notice and imposed an environmental compensation of Rs. Rs.7,40,000.
The NGT directed the state PCB to take further action to enforce the law. Assessed compensation and performance guarantee must be duly enforced and deficiencies pointed out has to be rectified. Action should be taken for illegal extraction of ground water. Grievance about the location of the unit close to habitation should also be looked into, the order said.