Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding pollution caused by Panipat refinery, Haryana, 01/03/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Satpal Singh, Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat Singhpura Sithna, Panipat Vs Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Panipat Refinery dated 01/03/2019 regarding air and water pollution caused by the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Panipat Refinery, Panipat, Haryana resulting in diseases affecting large number of persons and the environment, including water, air and soil.
A joint team comprising representatives of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the Deputy Commissioner, Panipat has submitted a report before the Tribunal. Some of the findings are the following:
- Ambient air quality data collected at different points at villages and within premises was found exceeding in PM. PM10 value of ambient air was found to be 290.0, 165.0, 123.5 & 176.5 against the limit of 100mg/Nm3 which indicates that unit might be contributing to increase in PM value in ambient air the adjoining areas.
- The ground water samples collected from various locations in the vicinity of the Unit were found to be not complying with acceptable norms prescribed by BIS for drinking water in IS 10500 (2012).
The report shows that the water and air quality was not as per prescribed standards. The untreated effluents were being discharged in the green belt area. The unit was not complying with the conditions of recycling and reuse of water as per conditions for Consent to Operate. The concrete lining of the drain was found ruptured. The unit is not operating the ETP efficiently or the ETP is not adequate.
NGT directs the the joint Committee constituted by the Tribunal to make a realistic assessment of the damage caused to public health and environment and immediate measures for stoppage of polluting activity and submit a report within a month.