Following allegations of unregulated mining and stone crushing in Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana, the National Green Tribunal has directed a three-member panel to inspect the site and verify the allegations.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said: “Let a three-member team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board and the State pollution control board, visit the site and verify the facts.”
The directions came following allegations of air pollution due to the mining. The NGT said that the State pollution control board would be the nodal agency.
A committee comprising representatives from the State pollution control board, Mining Department, Forest Department and Deputy Commissioner of Charkhi Dadri, however, submitted that steps have been taken to curb air pollution.
“A report has been furnished by the Deputy Commissioner stating that appropriate devices such as stationary sprinklers, have been installed. The ambient air quality is being maintained. The statutory requirements have been complied with (and) appropriate measures for abating pollution are being taken,” the Bench observed while taking note of the report.
Petitioner Vinod Kumar Jangra, however, contended that “Earth-moving machines are being illegally operated for mining activities.”