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Authorities ignore NGT order on coal pollution

People living in villages and towns situated near coal mines have been bearing the brunt of air and water pollution for many years. For the first time, activist Dilip Bhoyar, a resident of Wani in Yavatmal district, took up this issue right from the local level to National Green Tribunal (NGT). His fight spanned five years. Taking cognisance, NGT passed orders to the authorities concerned for initiating various measures to curb pollution 20 months ago.

Unfortunately, the authorities, including the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), have done nothing.

"The health department has already proved that citizens are facing severe health hazards due to pollution. It has also destroyed farms and contaminated water bodies," Bhoyar said. He said he started his fight from the tehsil office to the district collector office and finally the NGT. An order was passed by NGT on April 29, 2014. The MPCB head office took 15 months from the NGT order to issue letters to all regional offices for initiating measures. Still, nothing has been done and pollution continues unabated," Bhoyar said.

Bhoyar added problem is not limited to his town Wani, but many villages and towns in Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nagpur districts. "There are over 120 privately owned coal depots owned in Wani. They violate norms indiscriminately. Orders were given to close down the depots by district administration but nothing happened. MPCB was directed to ensure the depots cause no pollution but no result," he said.

The MPCB, in letters sent to all regional offices especially Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal, directed officials to conduct a survey of coal and other minerals' stock yards, depots and railway sidings followed by action. "All stock yards, depots and railway sidings have to be covered. A three-metre-high boundary wall should be constructed to prevent fine particles from being carried away with surface run off to nearby water bodies. Height of minerals stocked/stored must be kept below the height of boundary wall to prevent it getting air borne. Closed transportation system should be used on the premises. Undertaking should be ensured for developing mechanized closed coal handling terminal," the MPCB said.

A WCL spokesperson could not confirm any such orders from NGT, Pune or directives from MPCB. "WCL received orders from NGT Bhopal. The issue relates to creation of wind barrier along the stockyards in the mines of state of Madhya Pradesh. About the stockyards and railway siding, dust breaking arrangement needs to be installed of adequate height from the ground, a tin sheet. WCL will comply with it before June 2016," he said.

Officials of MPCB Nagpur and Chandrapur refused to comment, citing an order from the MPCB head office to not speak with journalists.

Bhoyar said not a single condition or directives of NGT was followed by MPCB, WCL and private coal depot owners. "MPCB had also a laid condition before WCL to ensure coal transportation in closed trucks/vehicles three years ago. Not a single vehicle of such kind has been introduced till date," he said.

Source: Business Standerd