No hot-mix plants in Delhi-NCR, says NGT

The National Green Tribunal has reiterated that no ready-mix plants will be permitted to operate at construction sites in Noida which are being operated without proper environmental protection.

A bench headed by acting NGT Chairperson Justice U D Salvi asked the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to strictly ensure that there is no dust emission due to the operation of such equipment.Ready-mix is concrete that is manufactured by combining a precise amount of rock, sand, water and cement at construction sites."We make it clear that the order of the prohibition issued earlier against operation of the hot mix plant shall continue to be operative," the bench said.

The tribunal directed the state pollution control board, Noida Authority and the Central Pollution Control Board to conduct a joint inspection of a hot-mix plant at Noida to ascertain as to whether it was compliant of pollution norms.The green panel had earlier slammed the officials concerned for not taking action against the builders responsible for causing emissions from construction and transportation of construction materials.

The NGT had last year lashed out at the UP government and the Noida Authority for not abiding by its order banning construction in the national capital region even when the PM10 (particulate matter) level was over 900, saying they were making a "mockery of the system".The NGT was hearing a plea alleging that despite specific orders, construction material, hazardous to the health of the locals, was lying in the open.The plea filed by lawyer Sanjay Kumar had alleged that dozens of hot mix plants were operating in the village Wazirpur, Nagli Nagla and Chak Basant Pur of Gautam Buddha Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh.