The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday has asked the State Government to submit its response on a plea against a stone crusher that is being operated near the river bed in violation of environmental norms.
A two-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan & Justice N.S. Dhanik has stated, “these allegations necessitate an immediate response from the State Government as any delay may result in irreversible damage being caused to the river and surrounding areas.”
The petitioner (Khilap Singh Bist) filed a PIL for action against a stone crusher is being operated by Avhyuday Uttarakhand Company Ranikhet contrary to the conditions laid down in the 2019 policy issued by the State Government.
The petitioner contended that in terms of the state policy 2019, no stone crusher unit can be established within a radius of 250 meters from the limits of the river and no stone crusher unit to be established within 150 meters from the nearest abadi (residential area). The stone crusher operated by Avhyuday Uttarakhand Company Ranikhet is located at a distance of 50-100 meters from the abadi and within a radius of less than 100 meters from the river bed.
The petitioner further contended that the unit is operating without even obtaining environmental clearance from the Uttarakhand Environment Protection And Pollution Control Board and creating severe environmental damage, besides air, water and noise pollution, is being caused, by operating the unit in that area.
The petitioner inform the bench that the unit was established in March, 2020 and commenced operation after the end of the second lockdown I,e, 04.05.2020.
On behalf of State Govt Chief Standing Counsel appeared and requested the bench that the matter to be taken upon on 03.06.2020 to enable him to obtain instructions in the meanwhile. On request of the counsel matter is posted for hearing on 03.06.2020.
order-of-uttarakhand-HC-1-India Legal Bureau