Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal has ordered the immediate closure of a brick manufacturing unit and a stone crusher in Nalbari, Assam. The Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata issued the mandate. The units cannot start work until they clear all statutory hurdles. Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh signed off on the order.
The JPIS Brick Manufacturing Unit and PASA Stone Crusher Unit, both located at Chengnoi, must secure a valid Consent to Operate from the Assam State Pollution Control Board. They must also meet strict environmental standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board. Complainants previously raised alarms that these projects were popping up near the Pagladiya riverbed.
Critics argued the industrial activity could wreck the local river ecosystem, harm public health, and disrupt regional biodiversity. They specifically flagged potential interference with elephant movement in the area. A joint committee report confirmed both sites were non-operational during recent inspections. The board had already withdrawn the Consent to Establish permit for the brick unit.
The tribunal ordered the Assam State Pollution Control Board to verify if the sites meet all location and environmental requirements before granting any future approvals. The board must confirm that the units meet "all applicable legal and environmental requirements" before issuing a Consent to Operate. Nalbari district officials must also investigate if the land sits on a protected elephant corridor.
The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police now hold the keys to enforcement. They must ensure no operations take place until the owners produce all required no-objection certificates and proof of compliance.
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