Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding air pollution in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 30/01/2020
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) Chennai in the matter of G. S. Mani Vs The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Chennai & Others dated 30/01/2020 regarding air pollution in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The NGT directed the government of Tamil Nadu to prepare a Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) on the basis of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change (MoEF&CC) to meet the situation.
The applicant, G. S. Mani presented data which showed variations of the ambient air quality during different period, which means that sometimes it exceeds the prescribed limit.
The Tamil Nadu Sate Pollution Control Board has been asked to look into the matter and conduct a detailed study made on the basis of the allegations in the application and submit a report and if there is action to be taken suggest mechanism for remediation towards improvement of the air quality in Chennai and State of Tamil Nadu. If there are any other area which are also to be monitored for the purpose of making the State free from air pollution, that study can also be undertaken by them collecting the necessary details from the district authorities and submit a comprehensive report showing the status of air quality in the state of Tamil Nadu within a period of two months.
"If they feel that some more monitoring stations have to be established for effectively monitoring the air quality that also can be considered and suggested by them. Accordingly, the same can be conveyed to the State Government for implementation," said the order. Further, the area of monitoring should not be confined to the area mentioned in the petition but also hotspots where there is a possibility of air pollution.