The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday constituted a joint committee, headed by the district administration of Jhajjar, to investigate alleged lapses in following environmental and pollution control norms by industrial units in the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) Estate, Bahadurgarh.
While admitting a petition alleging large-scale violations by about 2,500 small to large manufacturing units and directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management to control air pollution, the tribunal asked the committee to investigate the extent of violations by inspecting all units in the estate for compliance with environmental norms, clearances, compensation, and consent to establish and operate permissions.
The NGT’s principal bench appointed the Deputy Commissioner of Jhajjar as the nodal officer and ordered submission of a report based on its findings within eight weeks.
The committee will also include member secretaries of the Haryana and Central Pollution Control Board, along with the regional office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Petitioner Harinder Kumar alleged that operating textile, shoe, leather, plastic, and rubber manufacturing units were polluting the environment through open dumping, burning, and unscientific disposal of industrial waste into water bodies.
“Bahadurgarh is known for supplying 60% of India’s non-leather footwear. Toxic chemicals like benzene are released during sports shoe production, primarily from solvent-based glues, adhesives, and cleaners. True toxic and emissions load from the units remain underreported due to a lack of monitoring devices,” said Gaurav Arya, counsel appearing for Kumar.
According to the petitioner, many units had failed to install air pollution control devices and had yet to switch to biomass or PNG fuel. Kumar submitted that units normally violate environmental laws by operating during night hours.
The NGT took note of geo-tagged pictures of thick smoke emanating from alleged violators presented as evidence during the hearing.
“Counsel for applicant submits there are 2,500 industries in HSIIDC industrial state, but the applicant could gather the details of eight such units which have been impleaded in representative capacity,” observed NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, while directing the committee to ascertain the correct position of industries and nature of violations.
The committee will submit its report a week before the next hearing in the matter, scheduled for October 26. “Based on NGT’s directions, action will be taken against violators,” a senior HSPCB official said.
