ACC Cement Plant in Himachal to Undergo Review For Cleaner Air Solutions

                Kullu: Taking cognizance of a complaint that has accused Adani Group-owned ACC cement plant in Barmana village of Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district of causing air pollution, the 
National Green Tribunal (NGT) set up a joint committee to inquire into the matter.
In a recent order, Justice Sudhir Agarwal directed the committee members to visit the cement factory and determine whether the firm had taken necessary measures to contain 
environmental pollution or there were any violations. The panel will have to submit a factual report to the tribunal.
The committee members include officials from the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) along with the Bilaspur 
deputy commissioner. The NGT appointed the CPCB as the nodal authority for coordination and compliance of its order.
The NGT order came on a letter petition filed by Kashmir Thakur, a resident of Barmana village, who stated that flying dust from the factory during cement production process settles 
on pathways, concrete roads, and residential accommodations in the area.

The petition added that ACC Limited has been manufacturing cement for the last several years but has not been able to manage and control dust emission from its plant effectively. 
"The dust separation system is not properly functioning or has not been properly erected by the proponent, due to which it has not been able to control fugitive emissions," according 
to the petition.
Reacting to the points raised in the petition, the NGT observed that "before taking any action, we find it appropriate to obtain a factual report by constituting a joint committee."
The NGT in 2015 imposed an environmental penalty of Rs 50 lakh against ACC Ltd for causing air pollution and thereby a health hazard in Barmana. The penalty amount was meant 
to be used for healing the environmental damage caused in the area and to ensure there is no pollution in the future.
ACC Limited, along with Ambuja Cements, was taken over by the Adani Group from Holcim Group, a Swiss company, in May 2022.



Source : Times of India