Bilaspur NGT Allows Four Weeks For Joint Committee Report On Cement Pollution
The National Green Tribunal has granted a four-week extension to a joint committee examining allegations of air pollution caused by a cement manufacturing plant in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. The order follows delays in consolidating technical assessments and keeps the spotlight on environmental compliance, public health concerns, and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in an industrially active but environmentally sensitive region.
The case was initiated after a resident from a village near the cement facility approached the tribunal, citing deteriorating air quality allegedly linked to the plant’s operations. The petition named the state government and environmental authorities among the respondents, arguing that emissions from the unit were affecting daily life and ecological conditions in surrounding habitations.During the latest hearing, the joint committee informed the tribunal that it had been unable to file its report within the earlier deadline due to delays in receiving signed expert evaluations. One of the technical members submitted inputs later than scheduled, while another expert from a central regulatory body communicated separately with the panel, necessitating additional time to compile a comprehensive assessment. Accepting the explanation, the tribunal directed the committee to submit a signed report within four weeks, while allowing individual experts to place independent comments on record.
The matter highlights the procedural complexities often involved in environmental adjudication, particularly in cases where multiple agencies are required to assess industrial compliance. Urban policy experts note that such delays, while administrative in nature, can prolong uncertainty for affected communities seeking relief from pollution-related impacts.Regulatory authorities have informed the tribunal that environmental compensation has already been imposed on the cement company for alleged violations. Funds collected have been earmarked for local development and mitigation works, including projects aimed at improving water resources, waste management infrastructure, and basic civic amenities in nearby villages. Some of these works, such as renewable energy-based street lighting and drinking water facilities, have reportedly been completed through local administrative bodies.The cement company, in its submissions, has stated that it is cooperating with regulators and implementing recommendations to control emissions and improve air quality around the plant. Industry observers say such cases are increasingly shaping how large manufacturing units are expected to integrate environmental safeguards into their operations, particularly in regions where industrial activity intersects with rural settlements.
The tribunal has listed the matter for further hearing after the committee’s report is submitted. The findings are expected to play a key role in determining future compliance measures and may influence how industrial pollution cases are handled in Himachal Pradesh, where balancing economic activity with environmental sustainability remains a pressing challenge.
