The National Green Tribunal has sought the response of Jindal Steel and five other steel plants located in Ghaziabad after the UP Pollution Control Board informed the tribunal that they are "highly polluting industries".
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to Bhushan Steel, Aditya Steel Industry, Goodluck Steel, Steel Strip Ltd and Ghaziabad Forgings after going through UPPCB's affidavit which named these industries as highly polluting.
The NGT also directed closure of Rathi Steel and Power Ltd, which it had allowed to operate vide an interim order, as it noted that the plant "has not taken any effective step to prevent and control the pollution which it admittedly is causing," and had adopted a "non-cooperative attitude".
The Tribunal, however, gave the firm time to install all the requisite pollution control equipment and get the unit inspected again and if it is still found to be polluting, then it will be shut down.
"Registry shall issue notice to other steel industries which are at page no 183 to 203 as Annexure-3 of the affidavit filed by UPPCB, more particularly the following industries which are highly polluting industries -- M/s Bhushan Steel, M/s Goodluck Steel, M/s Jindal Steel, M/s Steel Strip Ltd, M/s Ghaziabad Forgings and M/s Aditya Steel Industry," it said.
The bench, which comprised of judicial member Justice P Jyothimani, took note of the contention of the applicant and other parties of the case who had said there are several polluting industries which are carrying on operations without being properly checked and controlled by the UPPCB.
The NGT was hearing a plea by Ghaziabad resident Rajiv Narayan, who had alleged that rapid development of industries there has resulted in acute air and water pollution which is causing severe health problems to the city's residents.
Earlier on January 17, the tribunal had directed closure of all polluting industries in Ghaziabad and had pulled up the UPPCB for failing to check the units which are discharging harmful effluents into air and water of the city.
