Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Charudatt Koli Vs M/s Sea Lord Containers Ltd. dated 07/03/2019.

History: 

The issue for consideration is the remedial steps to be taken for control of air pollution in the outskirts of Mumbai, at and around villages Ambapada and Mahul. The matter was dealt with in the judgment of the Tribunal dated 18.12.2015. It was found that there was deterioration of ambient air quality causing threat to health of the residents. Accordingly, the Tribunal vide order dated 18.12.2015 directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to prepare a comprehensive action plan for control of air pollution.

An execution application was filed before the Tribunal alleging noncompliance of the direction dated 18.12.2015. The application was taken up for consideration on 05.02.2019. The Tribunal considered the report of the joint Committee dated 01.01.2019 which found presence of VOCs in the area with concentration values more than odour threshold concentrations. The joint Committee also gave suggestions on control of VOCs. With respect to the action plan submitted by BPCL, HPCL, M/s Aegis Logistic and M/s Sea Lord Containers Pvt. Ltd. CPCB had filed its comments. Counsel for the industries have submitted that observations of CPCB will be met and a revised plan consistent with the CPCB observations will be prepared and submitted to the CPCB within 3 weeks.

Directions of NGT: 

NGT directs CPCB to oversee the compliance of the action plan and furnish its interim action taken report within 3 months. The CPCB would also oversee the compliance of the action plan and furnish its interim action taken report within 3 months. A compensation amount of Rs. 15 lakhs would be deposited with the MPCB for disbursement. Tribunal also fixed an interim amount of Rs. 10 crores to be deposited with CPCB for restoration of the environment. The amount will be equally borne by the polluting industries and made within one month.