National Green Tribunal issues notice to cement companies over air pollution, overloading trucks

The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to thirteen major cement companies over gross violation of the Tribunal’s orders, transgression of environmental norms, as well as violating the Motor Vehicles Act for causing air pollution..The Principal Bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar sought the reply of all concerned parties regarding the issue..The plea, Neena Pradeep v Union of India Ors, has alleged that cement companies overload their trucks with cement and clinkers in order to avoid toll tax. The plea also impleads the MoEF, Delhi Govt., Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee along with the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana & Rajasthan..Counsel for the Applicant, Abhishek Vikram and Karan Balraj Mehta said that the cement industry happens to be one of the 17 most polluting industries and is placed in the ‘red category club’ i.e. the most polluting industries..The plea states that,.“Cement transporting vehicles are known to release enormous amounts of cement dust into the atmosphere which settle on the soil and vegetation of landscape. The said cement dust particles have an adverse effect on the vegetation and landscape apart from creating an unhealthy breathing environment for human beings as well as the fauna.”.The petition specifically indicts Shree Cement and JK Cement as they allegedly overloaded their trucks to the tune of 200-250%. The prayers made by the Applicant are:-.a) Restrain the cement companies from causing enormous environmental degradation in the National Capital Region by directing them not to overload their trucks with cement and clinkers beyond the prescribed limit while destined for or transiting through the National Capital Region;.b) Impose exemplary cost on the cement companies for violating the provisions of the Motors Vehicles Act, 1988 and degrading the environment by reducing the air quality in the National Capital Region;.c) Direct the companies to transport ement and klinkers through their own railway sidings so as to cause least pollution in the National Capital Region;.d) Direct the Ministry of Railways to provide all reasonable assistance to the cement companies in transportation of cement and clinkers through their own railway sidings including entering into annual wagon supply agreements with the companies, if needed..e) Direct the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana & Rajasthan to strictly enforce the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for all commercial vehicles entering the National Capital Region. .The matter will now be heard on April 6.