NGT seeks report on quarrying in Odisha's Khurda

BHUBANESWAR: THE National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Jagannath Temple Administration (JTA), Khurdha district administration as well as quarry operators to stop mining in Hatia and Kalinga hills in Tapang Mouza of the district.

Hearing two petitions, by Kahnu Charan Chhualsingh and Manoj Chhotray, NGT’s Kolkata bench further directed the Secretary, Forest and Environment Department to inquire into the allegations of illegalities in granting environment clearance to the quarries and file a report before November 27.
Earlier, NGT directed the State Pollution Control Board to inspect the site and submit report to the court.
The petitioners had alleged that black stone quarrying operations in Hatia and Kalinga hills caused severe pollution and inconvenience to local villagers.

Khurda Collector, State Pollution Control Board, District Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Tehsildar Khurda, JTA, Superintendent of Police, Director of Mines, Controller of Explosives have been made parties apart from two private agencies operating the quarries.The petitioners had alleged that there was absence of dust control arrangements in loading and unloading while overburden dumps are not being maintained to prevent erosion during monsoon.

The petitioners had also said there was no provision for dust suppression system over mine haul roads, absence of water consumption and water retention measures. Similarly, no green belt was developed along the periphery of mines. Advocate for the petitioner Sankar Prasad Pani said the matter would be next heard on Nov 27.