NGT asks IOCL’S Panipat refinery to pay ₹17.31 crore for violating norms

KARNAL: In its interim orders, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has held Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)’S Panipat refinery responsible for violating environmental norms and spreading pollution in nearby villages.

The tribunal has also di r e c t e d I OCL o f f i c i a l s to deposit a sum of ₹17.31 crore within a month as interim compensation for restoration of environment, subject to further orders.

I n t he i nterim order, t he bench, headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, said the amount may be deposited to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). “We are unable to accept the submission that no compensation may be required to be paid or further action be taken, even if pollution is contributed by others,” the bench said in the order.

Notably, residents of villages in the vicinity of the refinery, led by Singhpura Sithna village sarpanch Satpal Singh, had taken up the issue with the NGT last year, alleging that the refinery i s polluting t he air and water in the area. In November last year, the NGT had constituted a joint team comprising representatives of the CPCB, Haryana state pollution control board (HSPCB) and Panipat d e p ut y c o mmissioner for inspection. The team was later told to assess the damage to environment and human health being caused by the refinery.

Hindustan Times was the first to report that the pollution by the IOCL refinery was affecti ng healt h of t he people i n nearby villages.

When contacted, HSPCB member secretary S Narayanan said the committee set up to assess the damage had found that enormous pollution was caused by the refinery.

“Even the samples from the effluent treatment plant were found to be non-compliant. The ambient air quality was also exceeding the norms, resulting in irritation to eyes and odour,” he added.

When contacted JAN Corera, general manager, corporate communications, IOCL, said he was unable to give any statement over the issue as he has to discuss the matter with the higher authorities. He, however, said they were complying with the directions of the tribunal and several changes are already being made.

On the other hand, a senior scientist at the HSPCB told HT that on NGT orders, the HSPCB has al s o deputed a t e am of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, and Central Ground Water Board to assess the damage.