In a significant move for environmental protection, the Uttarakhand High Court has ordered an immediate stop to the operations of an illegally functioning hot mix plant in Dehradun district. The plant, located perilously close to the Sheetla river, was found to be flouting all prescribed norms, prompting judicial intervention.
Court Takes Stern Action
The division bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay issued the order on Friday. The court directed a complete halt to the plant's activities near the new bridge over the Sheetla river in Bartoli village, Vikasnagar. The bench also issued a formal notice to AA Construction, the company operating the plant, and sought detailed responses from the state government and the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (PCB).
The judges have mandated that both the state authorities and the PCB submit a comprehensive progress report on the matter. The case is now scheduled for its next hearing on Wednesday, where the court will review the submitted reports.
Pollution Control Board's Findings
During the proceedings, the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board presented a damning assessment of the facility. The PCB informed the court that the hot mix asphalt plant was operating in clear violation of established environmental standards and had failed to meet basic regulatory requirements.
In light of these serious violations, the PCB assured the court that it would issue a show-cause notice to AA Construction within the same week. Accepting these submissions, the High Court bench imposed an immediate stay on all operations at the plant and demanded a progress report by the next date of hearing.
Public Interest Litigation Highlights Health Hazards
The court's action stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Pradeep Kumar, a resident of the affected Bartoli village. In his petition, Kumar highlighted the grave environmental and health crisis unfolding due to the plant.
He stated that the Sheetla river flows very close to the village, and the hot mix plant was set up barely 200 meters away from this vital water body. The petitioner alleged that toxic emissions from the plant were causing severe air pollution, which directly impacted the health of local villagers and was damaging agricultural activities in the area.
Furthermore, Kumar claimed that the environmental pollution was so intense that it caused breathing difficulties for daily commuters passing through the vicinity. He urgently appealed to the court to intervene and stop the plant's operations to safeguard public health and protect the local ecosystem.
This case underscores the ongoing tension between industrial activity and environmental conservation in rapidly developing regions. The High Court's proactive stance signals a firm commitment to upholding environmental laws and prioritizing the well-being of citizens over unchecked commercial operations.
