Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of S. Srinivas Rao & Others Vs State of Andhra Pradesh dated 28/09/2022.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was directed by the NGT to issue guidelines for utilization of marble slurry and to prevent its unregulated dumping. The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board was ordered to ensure that no illegal extraction of groundwater takes place by marble polish units and industries adhere to zero liquid discharge standard and should have captive or combined slurry utilization plan.

The court order was in response to the application filed before the NGT, February 26, 2022 by S. Srinivas Rao against unscientific dumping of marble slurry on agricultural land near Harischandrapuram railway station, Kotabommali mandal, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. Marble slurry is generated from the marble polish units located at Nimmada, Peddabammidi and Yetturallapdu.

Mere storing of slurry waste is not beneficial to the environment when its commercial use is well known, said the NGT, September 28. The bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and Sudhir Agarwal cited the example of slurry waste in Kishangarh, district Ajmer, Rajasthan being transported to Morbi, Gujarat for manufacturing of bricks, tiles and ceramic products. It is also used in cement industries, distemper making and putti cement.