The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) pollution in Gujarat, revealing alarming levels of this harmful gas in various cities, with a particular focus on Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
The petition is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item dated December 03, 2024. As per the article, SO₂, a colourless gas with pungent smell, can be linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The article highlights a study conducted by researchers from ISRO’s Space Applications Centre and nine other institutes, the study utilized satellite data from the Sentinel-5P TROPOMI Earth observation satellite to identify 15 SO₂ hotspots in the state. The research uncovered those SO₂ concentrations in these areas range from 10 to 1,000 micromoles per metre square (µmol/m²), with an average concentration of 300 µmol/m².
The article reports that Ahmedabad has emerged as a critical hotspot in SO₂ emissions due to its industrial activities, transportation emissions, and reliance on fossil fuels. Industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, along with a local thermal power plant, contribute significantly to SO₂ levels. The city’s pollution spikes during winter and pre-summer months. Similarly, Gandhinagar faces high SO₂ emissions, primarily from vehicular pollution and a thermal power station. Other hotspots include industrial hubs like Surat, Vadodara, and Vapi, as well as locations like Mundra port and Morbi, which are tied to specific industries such as ceramics, oil refineries, and ship-breaking yards.
Furthermore, it is stated that the study underscores India’s alarming role as one of the world’s largest emitters of SO₂, contributing over 15% of global anthropogenic emissions in 2019, as per a 2020 Greenpeace report.
The case raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and the implementation of provisions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The NGT has impleaded several respondents, including the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
The tribunal has directed the respondents to file their responses/replies by way of affidavit before the Western Zonal Bench at Pune, where the matter has been transferred for further action.
The Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member and Dr A Senthil Vel, Expert Member listed the matter on February 14, 2025.