Shimla: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Himachal Pradesh over allegations of environmental norm violations, including noise pollution, discharge of untreated or excess effluents and unauthorized diversion of irrigation water for industrial use.
The matter came up before the Principal Bench of the Tribunal comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, on an application filed by a local resident of Solan district.
According to the plea, the industrial unit located in Kasauli tehsil has been operating generator sets and industrial machinery that allegedly generate noise levels beyond permissible limits, affecting nearby residents. The applicant relied on a noise monitoring report to support the claim.
The petition further alleged that the unit was discharging effluents beyond prescribed standards, resulting in environmental pollution. Documents placed before the Tribunal were cited in support of the allegations.
The applicant also alleged unauthorized diversion of irrigation water for industrial purposes.
During the hearing, it was submitted that an earlier civil suit seeking relief against the industrial operations had been held not maintainable, with the court observing that the appropriate remedy lay before the National Green Tribunal.
After considering the submissions, the Tribunal issued notice to the respondents and granted four weeks for filing a reply.
The applicant has been directed to serve copies of the application and supporting documents on the remaining respondents and file an affidavit of service before the next hearing.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 10.
Source: UNI (United News Of India)
