File report on pollution load in air, NGT tells HSPCB

Gurgaon: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to complete and submit a carrying capacity report— a document that assesses the maximum load of pollutants an area can bear without causing degradation to its environment — for Mahendergarh by Aug first week. The directive comes during the hearing of a petition submitted in the tribunal on illegal operation of stone crushers in Mahendergarh and Charkhi Dadri districts.

The report for Charkhi Dadri is already complete, and the board has been directed to submit the report for Mahendergarh at least one week before the next date of hearing. The move is seen as a significant step to ensure environmental sustainability in these districts. The reports will provide details of various factors like air quality, distance between stone crushers and their combined effect on air and water quality. This is based on the ‘precautionary’ principle of environmental law, which the tribunal enforces under the NGT Act, 2010.

Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, judicial magistrate Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel, in the April 29 order stated, “HSPCB has submitted that the carrying capacity report in respect of Charkhi Dadri is available and that has been placed on record. In respect of Mahendergarh, the same will be completed and placed on record. Therefore, it is directed that the same be submitted at least one week before the next date of hearing.” The next hearing is on August 8.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has clarified that the carrying capacity is calculated using monthly average data on PM10 from the continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS). When this data isn’t available, aerosol optical depths are used to estimate PM levels. The board also considers mixing heights and compares them with similar geographical areas to understand air dispersion volumes. Emission load calculations are based on actual monitored values, considering the velocity, temperature and pressure of gases, with a standard of 250 mg/Nm3 at 17% O2.

However, the petitioner has raised objections, saying stone crushers are operating in violation of environmental norms. “Stone crushers are located close to plantations, reserved forests, educational institutions and in clusters. The area is critical and over-exploited and groundwater is being illegally extracted. There is a scarcity of water even for drinking,” petitioner Vinod Kumar Jangra, a resident of Charkhi Dadri, alleged.

According to Jangra, there is no proper disclosure and evaluation of the source of water for operation of stone crushers, and no steps have been taken to mitigate dust and air pollution. The air quality of the area, which is part of NCR, is unsatisfactory and cannot sustain addition of dust pollution generated by stone crushers, he said, adding that the HSPCB report is expected to shed light on these issues and pave the way for more sustainable practices in the region.

The HSPCB submitted that the proposal for installation of five continuous ambient air quality monitoring systems in Mahendergarh has been accepted by the Centre, and CPCB had informed it that Rs 5.1 crore will be granted under the NGT environmental compensation funds. HSPCB has set up another five manual monitoring stations, it said.

“We will submit all details as per the orders of the tribunal,” a senior HSPCB official said.