Stone crusher unit sealed for violating environmental norms

A stone crusher unit set up at Kotla by Bharat Construction Ltd, undertaking the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane project (Phase II) from Bherkhad to Seuni, was sealed last evening by a joint committee comprising the Jawali SDM, Nurpur Mining Officer and a Junior Environmental Engineer. The action was taken in compliance with an order issued by the Member Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) on November 20.

The unit had allegedly continued operations even after the expiry of its consent renewal and despite repeated public complaints, it reportedly functioned during night hours. Residents of Kotla town and surrounding areas had expressed strong resentment over the noise pollution generated by the crusher, submitting multiple complaints to the HPSPCB’s Regional Office in Dharamsala.

As per available information, the HPSPCB had granted permission to the unit from July 14 to August 17 this year. After expiry of the consent, the company neither renewed the permission nor stopped operations. Despite notices from the regional office, the crusher continued functioning at night while remaining closed during daytime inspections. Locals alleged that this routine allowed it to bypass regulatory checks.

Varun Gupta, Regional Officer, HPSPCB, Dharamsala, told The Tribune that the company had been served notice twice before the sealing action. He said the unit was operating without mandatory renewal of consent and without installing required pollution-control devices. “After failure to comply with directions, the Member Secretary issued an office order on November 20 to seal the unit,” he said. Gupta also confirmed receiving public complaints about night-time operations causing noise pollution.