Board asked to frame rules within three weeks
PANAJI
Considering the serious impact of Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) Plants on environment, the Bombay High Court at Goa has directed Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to evolve guidelines for operation of such plants in the State within three weeks.
In a directions issued on January 17, the division bench has asked the Board to draft guidelines in lines with those implemented in the States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Haryana.
“We direct the GSPCB to evolve guidelines for RMC plants in the State. Such guidelines be framed within a period of three weeks from today (Jan 17) considering the serious impact of RMC plants on the environment,” the order stated. The matter is now listed for hearing on January 28.
The Court is hearing a matter pertaining to a closure notice issued to RMC plants after the Board observed that the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring system, installed were not in operation. The Board has made it clear that the plant can commence its operation only after it is satisfied by the Monitoring system is operational and connected to GSPCB server for real time data.
During the hearing, Adv Nigel Da Costa Frias appearing for the respondent brought to the notice of the Court that the States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Haryana have drafted RMC guidelines and the same are being implemented. He said that guidelines in TN were framed following NGT directions, wherein, it had raised environmental concern.
RMC plant is considered as an air polluting industry and though the waste water is generated due to cleaning of the mixer, vehicle the major pollutant is dust. The major dust pollution in the RMC plant is fugitive dust emission. Also noise pollution caused by the plant, is also something that needs to be addressed.
