Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vikram & Others Vs Indian Synthetic Rubber Private Limited & Others dated 29/04/2022. M/s Indian Synthetic Rubber Private Limited, has its unit opposite Neptha Cracker Polymer Terminal Gate, PO Panipat Refinery, Panipat, Haryana, set up in 2013, for manufacture of Emulsion Styrene Butadiene Rubber (E-SBR). The unit was installed after obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC) from the concerned competent authorities but it was commissioned without complying with various conditions mentioned in the EC which included a provision for 33% area as green belt, the application filed before the NGT says. Untreated effluents are being discharged on nearby land which have entered the water table, contaminated ground water and affected local villagers.

A Joint Committee report, April 1, 2022 informed the Tribunal that the green belt has not been developed as per EC conditions within the plant - as there was no adequate space but the same has been developed outside the plant in the vicinity.

The NGT noted that technical violations exist for which the SPCB has assured remedial action in the form of improvement of air quality in the area. There is need to consider measures such as checking fugitive emissions, letting out emissions through well designed stack, retrofitted with air pollution control devices particularly for aromatic and volatile compounds, the court said.

The NGT directed that requisite orders be passed by the authorities within one month in accordance with law.