NGT orders closure of 21 hotmix plants in Noida, Gr Noida

Do you want a child to be confined in the house without even knowing the level of polluted air he is inhaling, the National Green Tribunal sternly told UP officials today as it ordered 21 hot mix plants in Noida and Greater Noida to be shut down forthwith for adding to the already polluted air.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar pulled up Uttar Pradesh officials for not taking action against the builders responsible for polluting emissions caused by construction and transportation of construction materials.

The Tribunal also said it was evident that the authorities have failed to perform their duties and were instead “shifting blame” on each other.

“We order that all the 21 hot mix plants in Noida, Greater Noida be shut down. They are operating illegally in Noida and Greater Noida,” it said.

“All officials especially Chairman of UP Pollution Control Board, District Magistrate, CEOs of Noida and Greater Noida shall file reply to the show cause notice as to why they failed to act against illegal and unauthorised operation of hot mix plants and other plants. 

Why they did not initiate action against builders? The hot mix plants are responsible for dust,” it said and fixed the matter for December 14.

The Bench said all these hot mix plants will not be allowed to operate till they take permission in accordance with the tribunal’s order.

Hot mix plants are self-contained bitumen and aggregate mixing plants which are extremely compact in size.

During the hearing, the bench observed that the main sufferers of pollution are young generation.

“You want a child to remain inside the house for 24 hours, without even knowing the level of pollution he is inhaling even inside the house. It is a painful experience,” it said.

The Bench passed the order on a plea by lawyer Sanjay Kumar in which he 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. 

He also filed photographs to show that all these hot mix plants are emitting highly polluting carcinogenic emission, which may cause cancer.