NGT seeks UP govt's reply on ceramic factories in Khurja

The ceramic factories in Uttar Pradesh's Khurja city today came under the lens of the National Green Tribunal, which sought response from the UP government and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on a plea seeking their closure.
Home to more than 500 ceramic factories, Khurja city is located in Bulandshahar district of Uttar Pradesh.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi issued notice to UP government, UPPCB and others on a plea of an NGO while seeking their reply by May 11.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Jai Hind seeking directions to UP government to place on record all the relevant materials and documents relating to the steps taking by them to regulate the air pollution in Khurja.

The plea, filed through advocate Gaurav Bansal, claims that major environmental problems like air pollution and mismanagement of solid waste have arisen due to the pottery industries in Khurja.
"There are several ceramic industries, established and operating in Khurja without any previous Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) from UPPCB.
"Hence are violating various provisions of Environment Protection Act and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981," it said.
The NGO has also alleged that cases of respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis are being reported which is due to the air pollution caused predominantly by the burning of coal (in kilns)in the area.