The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to the eruption of a major fire at NTPC’s North Karanpura Superthermal Power Plant in Jharkhand’s Chatra District.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 19.04.2024.
As per the article, fire broke out at BHEL material yard of unit 3 in the power plant.
As per the report, the installation is a 660X3 MW coal-based power plant and till the reporting, no casualties were found.
On advance notice, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) are represented through the Counsel and they also do not have instructions in respect of the figure of casualty, if any, in the incident.
The Counsel for JSPCB also could not inform about the compliance of the environmental norms by the unit.
The OA raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of Scheduled enactment.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Central Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(2). Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board through its Members Secretary.
(3). Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Chatra.
(4). NTPC, North Karanpur Super Thermal Power Plant through its Administrative Head, District Chatra, Jharkhand.
Since the matter relates to the Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Eastern Zonal Bench , for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Eastern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 05.07.2024.