National Green Tribunal Directs Pollution Inspection of Two Himachal Industrial Units
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a significant directive to the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB), ordering immediate inspections at two industrial facilities in Una district. This action comes in response to serious allegations of air and water pollution that have raised environmental and public health concerns in the region.
Inspection Targets and Tribunal Directives
In a formal order, NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava specifically named Modulus Cosmetics Pvt Ltd and RRD Oil and Fats Pvt Ltd, both located in Gondpur Jaichand within the Haroli subdivision, as the subjects of this mandated inspection. The pollution control board has been instructed to conduct thorough examinations of these facilities and submit a comprehensive report detailing their findings.
The tribunal has further directed the HPSPCB to verify compliance with consent to operate (CTO) conditions at both industrial units. This verification process is crucial to determining whether the facilities are adhering to environmental regulations and operating within legally permitted parameters.
Petitioner's Allegations and Environmental Concerns
The NGT's intervention stems from a petition filed by Una resident Jatinder Singh, who presented compelling allegations against the two industrial units. According to the petitioner, these facilities were granted CTO despite reportedly discharging industrial effluents directly into stormwater drains that ultimately flow into the Swan river.
Singh's petition cited concerning reports from both the pollution control board and a senior medical officer in neighboring Hoshiarpur district, which allegedly document violations of environmental norms and demonstrate adverse impacts on local residents. The petitioner emphasized that these pollution issues have created genuine health concerns for communities living in proximity to the industrial operations.
Alleged Administrative Oversights
In his submission to the tribunal, Jatinder Singh made additional serious claims regarding the handling of his complaints through administrative channels. He alleged that his formal complaint to the Una deputy commissioner was effectively ignored, and that the industrial units in question received what he characterized as a "clean chit" without proper on-ground assessment of the pollution allegations.
These administrative allegations add another layer to the environmental concerns, suggesting potential gaps in the oversight and enforcement mechanisms designed to protect local ecosystems and public health from industrial pollution.
Next Steps and Hearing Schedule
The National Green Tribunal has established a clear timeline for addressing these serious environmental allegations. The tribunal has fixed July 23 as the next date of hearing, at which point the pollution control board's inspection report and compliance verification findings will be reviewed and considered.
This scheduled hearing represents a critical juncture in determining the validity of the pollution allegations and what regulatory actions, if any, might be necessary to address environmental concerns in Una district. The NGT's involvement underscores the growing judicial scrutiny of industrial compliance with environmental regulations across India.
