The National Green Tribunal has ruled no fresh environmental clearance would be granted to new industrial units or for expansion of any operating industry in Noida without its consent.
The tribunal passed the interim orders taking note of a “lackadaisical attitude exhibited” by the Central Pollution Control Board and Noida Authority in responding to the notices issued by it earlier.
“In order to safeguard the environment and restrict the pollution, both air and water including hazardous waste, we direct that no further environmental clearance shall be granted to any of the new industrial units nor any operating industry shall be permitted to expand in Noida or change in product-mix nor consent to establish and operate in case of defaulting units should be granted without obtaining prior permission from this tribunal,” a bench of tribunal headed by its chairperson A Suryanarayan Naidu said.
It noted that in pursuant to the notice issued by it earlier, the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority did not appear before it and the reply filed by CPCB “does not satisfy the requirements of law”.
The tribunal also directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to conduct “on the spot inspection” and collect the industrial effluent from polluting units, analyse the same and submit a report on the next date of hearing on May 8.
“They are also directed to take appropriate action under the Air and Water Acts and environment regulations, in respect of the industries who are not following the conditions imposed and are flouting the provisions of the aforesaid acts. The matter being very serious, UPPCB is directed to conduct spot inspection on war footing and submit their report,” it directed.