Power of 4 stone crushers cut for non-compliance of norms

Taking stern note of non-compliance of pollution-mitigation norms, the state Pollution Control Board (SPCB) disconnected power connection of four stone crushers operational at Manjholi village near Dheerowal in Nalagarh sub-division last evening.

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These crushers were operating despite damaged pollution mitigation devices and they had failed to ensure compliance of various norms. Further, their consent to operate had expired and since they did not fulfil the laid norms it was not renewed by the board. They were, therefore, causing pollution in the vicinity.

The field officials of the board at Baddi had recommended their case for power disconnection to the SPCB’s Shimla office months ago. The member secretary ordered their power disconnection last evening. Though sufficient time was granted to the four crushers to mend their devices they failed to ensure compliance inviting action under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Significantly, the Himachal High Court has also taken serious note of the issue of violation of environmental norms by a majority of the stone crushers operational in the Nalagarh industrial belt. The officials have been asked to submit monthly compliance reports before the court to ensure that the laid norms were not violated.