The National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone has appointed a committee to probe into ammonia gas leak from a urea plant in Manali.
The bench comprising Justice K Ramakrishnan and Saibal Dasgupta has taken suo-motu cognizance of the media reports and directed the committee to submit a report on the permissible emission rate of the plant and whether safety precaution had been taken to ensure safety of the employees.
On May 15, leakage of ammonia gas was reported from a public sector plant in Manali. The residents of Mathur MMDA colony woke up to the sweltering heat and foul smell of the gas which caused itchiness to the skin of the residents. The residents even complained of nausea and breathlessness.
The NGT has taken the Suo-Motu Cognizance on the basis of media reports. The bench observed that though the gas leak was in minor quantity but the company should be more precautious since the gas leak caused breathlessness and nausea to the employees.
The committee appointed by the Tribunal will consist of the representatives of Union Environment Ministry, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Tiruvallur District Collector has been directed to assess whether the provisions of Hazardous Waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 has been violated by the plant and to submit a report on environmental compensation.
-India Legal Bureau