NGT endorses penalty on polluting industries in Chennai

NGT endorses penalty on polluting industries in Chennai

Six businesses have been penalized Rs.15.60 lakh for violating the rules

The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has upheld the environmental compensation levied against six industries in the Ambattur Industrial Estate. The industries were operating without the consent of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

The Korattur People's Welfare and Awareness Trust had moved the NGT stating that the units in the industrial estate were letting untreated effluent into Korattur Lake and sought restraining orders.

The tribunal formed a joint committee to find out the nature of the violations. As per the committee's report, out of the 2.976 units, 784 had obtained valid consent, whereas a few were closed and vacated the premises. A total of 956 units were brought under the 'Green' category based on the pollution index.

The committee discovered 153 defaulting industries and recommended that TNPCB imposes environmental compensation for violations.

But six industries, against whom Rs.15.60 lakh penalty was imposed, challenged the order. They argued that the tribunal's orders were to check the untreated effluent, but the compensation was levied on them for not taking TNPCB's consent.

However, the tribunal disposed of the applications filed by the industries. It maintained that TNPCB is vested with powers to penalize and initiate action against violators.