Air pollution: NGT notice to 13 cement firms for violation
NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal on Tuesday issued notices to 13 cement manufacturers in Delhi and the rest of NCR for allegedly violating its order on overloading of vehicles. It also pulled up the companies for allegedly flouting provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and causing air pollution.
Petitioner Neena Pradeep, in her application, said the companies have been overloading their trucks with cement and clinkers in order to save toll tax. Despite having their own private independent railway siding, the cement manufacturers have been transporting cement by road, the plea said.
"The tribunal took cognisance of the illegal activities being carried out by cement manufacturers and issued notice to all 13 companies. The Union of India, Delhi government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Central Pollution Control Board and the ministry of transport have sought time to file their replies," said a source.
Petitioner Neena Pradeep, in her application, said the companies have been overloading their trucks with cement and clinkers in order to save toll tax. Despite having their own private independent railway siding, the cement manufacturers have been transporting cement by road, the plea said.
"The tribunal took cognisance of the illegal activities being carried out by cement manufacturers and issued notice to all 13 companies. The Union of India, Delhi government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Central Pollution Control Board and the ministry of transport have sought time to file their replies," said a source.
The counsel for the applicant, advocate Abhishek Vikram, claimed that some companies were overloading trucks by as much as 200-250%. "A major reason for the rising air pollution in Delhi is overloaded diesel trucks, which are used primarily for transportation of cement and clinkers. An estimated 80,000 trucks enter Delhi every night from 8pm to 6am. According to the minister of state for commerce and industry, it is estimated that the cement consumption in Delhi is around 4 lakh tonnes and of the NCR is around 10 lakh tonnes. In order to meet this requirement in a cost efficient manner, manufacturers are transporting cement and clinkers by trucks in clear violation of the provisions of the MV Act and other applicable laws," the application said.
Vikram pointed out that NGT had passed a rule against overloading of vehicles last April. The application further stated that the trucks were carrying 70-80 tonnes of cement and clinkers against the permissible limit of 20-29 tonnes per truck. This, said the counsel, could be proved by the excise challan which states the exact weight of consignment carried by each truck.
Vikram pointed out that NGT had passed a rule against overloading of vehicles last April. The application further stated that the trucks were carrying 70-80 tonnes of cement and clinkers against the permissible limit of 20-29 tonnes per truck. This, said the counsel, could be proved by the excise challan which states the exact weight of consignment carried by each truck.
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