NGT slaps penalty of Rs. 58 lakhs on NTPC

NGT slaps penalty of Rs. 58 lakhs on NTPC

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has upheld an order passed by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (PCB) penalising NTPC for causing damage to the environment in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand PCB had imposed a penalty of Rs 57.96 lakhs on NTPC for damaging the environment. The state-owned power major was found to have violated muck disposal site maintenance norms, resulting in damage to the environment.

Noting that the slope of the muck dumped at its Tapovan Vishnugad hydro power project in Chamoli was hazardously twice the standards with potential for erosion, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel dismissed NTPC Ltd's plea against the state PCB order.

According to the NGT order, "Erosion was already seen in terms of gully formation in down streams of the muck dumps. Thus, it is clear that the operative muck disposal sites were not being maintained as per the Ministry of Environment and Forests laid down norms. In view of the above, there is no merit in the appeal as 'Polluter Pays' principle has been rightly invoked for damage to the environment. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed. The amount of compensation which may be recovered by the state pollution control board may be utilised for restoration of the environment."

The NGT noted that NTPC is operating Tapovan Vishnugad hydro power project and has set up 5 muck disposal dumping sites out of which three were completed 3-5 years back while two are still active and operational and the state PCB found deficiencies in respect of the same.

Applying the principle of 'Polluter Pays', the state PCB had passed the order under Section 33 A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Water Act) and directed NTPC to pay a compensation of Rs. 57,96,000 for the restoration of the environment