Over Rs. 50 lakh fine on two institutions as environmental compensation

On the recommendation of Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday imposed a fine of over Rs. 50 lakh on Presidium School and Indirapuram Habitat Center as "environmental compensation" for creating pollution through their diesel generators (DG).

 While inspecting both the institutions, the UPPCB and the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) had come across a number of violations. 

1. Permission was not taken from UPPCB for the DG sets 
2. The used oil generated from the DG sets were stored in open area in closed containers.
3. Dedicated room was not provided for the storage of used oil, which is hazardous in nature.
4. No agreement between the violaters and Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) were found for transportation and disposal of hazardous facility (used oil).
5. Authorisation under Hazardous Waste Management Rule, 2016 was not obtained for the hazardous waste generated.

On the basis of these violations, the UPPCB imposed a fine of Rs 50,40,000 on both the violaters as environmental compensation. 

The UPPCB mentioned the amount of the fine in its inspection report which it gave to the green court following the court's order of conducting a joint inspection of the school and habitat center along with the GDA.

The inspection was ordered after the residents of Shipra Srishti, a neighbouring housing society, had filed a petition in the court in August. In the petition, the residents alleged that the school caused air pollution by using diesel generators while the Indirapuram Habitat Center caused noise pollution due to the pubs, restaurant, party/banquet halls operating in it.

The school and habitat center are situated next to Shipra Srishti, separated by an internal road between them. The school is situated on the back side of Indirapuram Habitat Center.

"The school does not have its own electricity connection and uses diesel generators to meet its electricity needs. Similarly, the pubs and party halls play high music beyond the permissible decible limits and permissible time limits set by the authorities," alleged Vikas Tiwari, counsel and petitioner in the case and also a resident of Shipra Srishti.

"It is a complete violation of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, National Environment Quality Standards, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, Noise Pollution Rules 2000 and other bylaws and orders of the NGT," Tiwari said while speaking to Cityspidey. 

"Due to this we cannot get fresh air and peaceful sleep," he continued.