Illegal stone crushers in Doda
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 20: In an application highlighting illegal operation of stone crushers in Doda district, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the respondents with the direction to file their response before next date of hearing.
A Bench of the NGT comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, while dealing with the application, observed, “the applicant has raised the grievance against the illegal operation of about 10-12 stone crushers in Doda district”, adding “it is alleged that these stone crushers are located near the banks of Chenab around Doda town within a radius of 5 to 6 kilometers”.
“The applicant has further alleged that illegal stone material is excavated from surrounding mountains on Doda-Kishtwar road and Doda-Jammu road and this excavated material is used by illegal stone crushers”, the NGT said, adding “it is further alleged that these illegal strone crushers are dumping muck into River Chenab and causing environmental hazards. It is also the allegation of the applicant that these stone crushers are causing air pollution and the entire Doda area is sinking due to varied factors”.
The counsel for the applicant submitted that these stone crushers don’t have CTE/CTO and requisite environmental clearance. “Since these stone crushers are operating illegally therefore the applicant could not obtain the details of these stone crushers on account of security threat and he could not implead them. However, if the concerned authority provides the details, the applicant is ready to implead and serve them”, he further submitted.
After hearing counsel for the respondents, NGT issued notice to the respondents with the direction to file their response/reply by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing. Moreover, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee has been directed to file a comprehensive report disclosing the details of all the legal and illegal stone crushers operating in Doda.
“He will also submit a report disclosing the extent of illegal mining and dumping of muck in Chenab river”, read the order of NGT.
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